No death or myocardial infa rct ion was reported .
CONCLUSION ' PVI-plus ' involving 2G-CB seems to be safe and effective for treating PerAF
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that second-generation cryoballoon ablation ( 2G-CB ) is effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation ( PerAF ) .
The cornerstone of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation is pulmonary vein isolation ( PVI ) .
The purpose of this study was to summarize the available data on the safety and mid-term ( ≥ 12 months ) effectiveness of a ' PVI-only ' strategy vs. a ' PVI-plus ' strategy using 2G-CB in patients with PerAF .
Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Multiple Cytokines and Biomarkers and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Within 1 Year of Catheter Ablation.
Catheter ablation ( CA ) is a procedure commonly used to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . However , AF recurrence after CA remains a relevant clinical issue . We tested the effects of an oral antioxidant treatment ( alpha lipoic acid [ ALA ] ) on AF recurrence post-CA . Patients with paroxysmal AF have been enrolled in a r and omized , prospect i ve , double-blind , controlled placebo trial . After CA , patients have been r and omly assigned to receive ALA oral supplementation ( ALA group ) or placebo ( control group ) and evaluated at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up : 73 patients completed the 12-month follow-up  ( ALA : 33 and control : 40 ) . No significant difference has been detected between the 2 groups at baseline . Strikingly , 1 year after CA , ALA therapy significantly reduced serum markers of inflammation . However , there was no significant difference in AF recurrence events at follow-up comparing ALA with placebo group . Multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent prognostic risk factor for AF recurrence after CA is age . In conclusion , ALA therapy reduces serum levels of common markers of inflammation in ablated patients . Nevertheless , ALA does not prevent AF recurrence after an ablative treatment
No death or myocardial infa rct ion was reported .
CONCLUSION ' PVI-plus ' involving 2G-CB seems to be safe and effective for treating PerAF
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that second-generation cryoballoon ablation ( 2G-CB ) is effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation ( PerAF ) .
The cornerstone of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation is pulmonary vein isolation ( PVI ) .
The purpose of this study was to summarize the available data on the safety and mid-term ( ≥ 12 months ) effectiveness of a ' PVI-only ' strategy vs. a ' PVI-plus ' strategy using 2G-CB in patients with PerAF .