Catheter ablation of AF  safety and efficacy in DM patients is similar to general population , especially when performed in younger patients with satisfactory glycemic control .
Catheter ablation of AF reduces the amount of patients requiring AADs , an additional benefit in this population commonly exposed to adverse effects of AF pharmacological treatments
AIMS Diabetes mellitus ( DM ) and atrial fibrillation ( AF ) share pathophysiological links , as supported by the high prevalence of AF within DM patients .
Catheter ablation of AF ( AFCA ) is an established therapeutic option for rhythm control in drug resistant symptomatic patients .
Its efficacy and safety among patients with DM is based on small population s , and long-term outcome is unknown .
The present systematic review and meta- analysis aims to assess safety and long-term outcome of AFCA in DM patients , focusing on predictors of recurrence .
Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes mellitus—single center experience
Background and objective Little is known about the outcome of  catheter ablation of  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  in patients with diabetes mellitus ( DM ) . We investigated the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of AF  in patients with DM . Material s and methods Thirty one patients with DM from a group of 263 consecutive patients undergoing a first-time catheter ablation of AF procedure  were enrolled in a prospect i ve study . The ablation protocol ( guided by CARTO system ) consisted in two continuous circular lesions around ipsilateral pulmonary veins . Results The following clinical characteristics differed between DM and no-DM patients : age ( 62.0 ± 10.8 vs. 56.1 ± 10.6 years , P = 0.004 ) , longer AF history ( 9.6 ± 9.3 vs. 6.7 ± 6.3 years , P = 0.024 ) , significantly larger left atrium size ( 41.1 ± 7.8 vs. 38.3 ± 5.8 mm , P = 0.021 ) , hypertension ( 58.1 vs. 35.8 % , P = 0.018 ) and structural heart disease ( 67.7 vs. 43.5 % , P = 0.011 ) . Despite a similar AF recurrence rate in DM and no-DM patients ( 32.3 vs. 22.4 % , P = 0.240 ) , the ablation procedure was complicated in 28 patients ( 11 hematomas , three cardiac tamponades and three strokes ) and the incidence of complications was significantly higher in DM than in no-DM patients ( 29.0 vs. 8.2 % , respectively , P = 0.002 ) . Multivariate analysis showed that DM was an independent risk factor for complications occurrence ( odd ratio 5.936 , 95 % confidence interval 2.059 to 17.112 , P = 0.001 ) . Conclusions First catheter ablation of AF procedure in DM patients was equally efficacious than in no-DM patients . However , DM patients had a higher incidence of complications , mostly thrombotic or hemorrhagic
Catheter ablation of AF  safety and efficacy in DM patients is similar to general population , especially when performed in younger patients with satisfactory glycemic control .
Catheter ablation of AF reduces the amount of patients requiring AADs , an additional benefit in this population commonly exposed to adverse effects of AF pharmacological treatments
AIMS Diabetes mellitus ( DM ) and atrial fibrillation ( AF ) share pathophysiological links , as supported by the high prevalence of AF within DM patients .
Catheter ablation of AF ( AFCA ) is an established therapeutic option for rhythm control in drug resistant symptomatic patients .
Its efficacy and safety among patients with DM is based on small population s , and long-term outcome is unknown .
The present systematic review and meta- analysis aims to assess safety and long-term outcome of AFCA in DM patients , focusing on predictors of recurrence .