Where data were available , the relative benefits seen held true both after a single or multiple procedure(s ) .
For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation , CA achieves significantly greater freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy .
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation ( CA ) is commonly performed for persistent atrial fibrillation , but few high- quality r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) exist , leading to funding restrictions being proposed in several countries .
We performed a r and om-effects meta- analysis of RCTs and non- RCTs to assess the efficacy of CA for persistent atrial fibrillation .
Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation: does use of a circular mapping catheter improve results? A prospective randomized study.
BACKGROUND The best method for performing atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation is still under debate . The importance of using a circular mapping ( CM ) catheter for assessing isolation of the pulmonary vein ( PV ) antrum on the outcome of the procedure has not been clearly established . OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether use of a CM catheter improves the arrhythmia-free proportion after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation ( CPVA ) . METHODS A series of 146 consecutive patients ( 83 % males , age 53 + /- 10 years , 53 % paroxysmal AF ) were r and omized to two ablation strategies . In both groups , ipsilateral PV encirclement was performed until disappearance or dissociation of the local electrogram within the surrounded area . In the first group , only the radiofrequency catheter was used to both map and ablate ( CPVA group , n = 73 ) . In the other group , a CM catheter was added to assess the electrical activity of the PV antrum ( CPVA-CM group , n = 73 ) . An ablation line along the left atrial roof was also created in all patients . RESULTS Procedural and fluoroscopic times were longer in the CPVA-CM group ( P < .05 ) . Severe procedure-related complications occurred in 1 ( 1.4 % ) patient in the CPVA group and in 3 ( 4.1 % ) patients in the CPVA-CM group ( P = .317 ) . After mean follow-up of 9 + /- 3 months , 31 ( 42.5 % ) patients in the CPVA group and 47 ( 64.4 % ) patients in the CPVA-CM group were arrhythmia-free without antiarrhythmic medication ( P = .008 ) . CONCLUSION Use of a CM catheter to ensure isolation of the PV antrum improved the success of CPVA but increased some procedural requirements
Where data were available , the relative benefits seen held true both after a single or multiple procedure(s ) .
For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation , CA achieves significantly greater freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy .
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation ( CA ) is commonly performed for persistent atrial fibrillation , but few high- quality r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) exist , leading to funding restrictions being proposed in several countries .
We performed a r and om-effects meta- analysis of RCTs and non- RCTs to assess the efficacy of CA for persistent atrial fibrillation .