No clear benefit was observed for AF recurrence at 2 - 3 days , 1 or 24 months of follow-up .
Steroid use was associated with decreased risk of early AF recurrence 3 and 12 - 14 months after ablation .
Previous studies have reported that steroids may reduce the risk of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) recurrence after catheter ablation , but data regarding this issue have been controversial .
Therefore , we conducted a meta- analysis of r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) and observational studies to ascertain the association of steroids and  AF recurrence  after ablation .
Use of Oral Steroid and its Effects on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence and Inflammatory Cytokines Post Ablation - The Steroid AF Study.
Background Use of corticosteroids before and after atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation can decrease acute inflammation and reduce AF recurrence . Purpose To assess the efficacy of oral prednisone in improving the outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency ablation and its effect on inflammatory cytokine . Methods A total of 60 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing radiofrequency ablation were r and omized ( 1:1 ) to receive either 3 doses of 60 mg daily of oral prednisone or a placebo . Inflammatory cytokine levels ( TNF-α , IL-1 , IL6 , IL-8 ) were measured at baseline , prior to ablation , immediately after ablation , and 24 hours post ablation . Patients underwent 30 day event monitoring at 3 months , 6 months and 12 months post procedure . Results Immediate post ablation levels of inflammatory cytokines were lower in the steroid group when compared to the placebo group ; IL-6 : 9.0 ±7 vs 15.8 ±13 p=0.031 ; IL-8 : 10.5 ±9 vs 15.3 ±8 ; p=0.047 respectively . Acute PV reconnection rates during the procedure ( 7/23 % vs 10/36 % ; p = 0.39 ) , and RF ablation time ( 51±13 vs 56±11 min , p = 0.11 ) trended to be lower in the placebo group than the steroid group . There was no difference in the incidence of early recurrence of AF during the blanking period and freedom from AF off AAD at 12 months between both groups ( 5/17 % vs 8/27 % ; p = 0.347 and 21/70 % vs 18/60 % ; p=0.417 in placebo and steroid groups respectively ) . Conclusion Although oral corticosteroids have significant effect in lowering certain cytokines , it did not impact the clinical outcomes of AF ablation
No clear benefit was observed for AF recurrence at 2 - 3 days , 1 or 24 months of follow-up .
Steroid use was associated with decreased risk of early AF recurrence 3 and 12 - 14 months after ablation .
Previous studies have reported that steroids may reduce the risk of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) recurrence after catheter ablation , but data regarding this issue have been controversial .
Therefore , we conducted a meta- analysis of r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) and observational studies to ascertain the association of steroids and  AF recurrence  after ablation .