Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation : Long-term results of circumferential pulmonary vein ablation in combination with a linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium.

BACKGROUND

Catheter ablation has become the first line of therapy in patients with symptomatic, recurrent, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. However, catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation is still a challenge. Various relatively complex ablation strategies exist and their results are not very favorable. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate a well-defined reasonable approach to catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation. The strategy consisted of a circumferential pulmonary vein ablation in combination with a linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation using the abovementioned approach.

RESULTS

The ablation procedure could be performed as planned in all 150 patients. Five years after catheter ablation, the success rate was 71.3% (no arrhythmia recurrence in 107 out of 150 patients). There were no major complications during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation can be performed safely and effectively using this ablation strategy providing favorable long-term follow-up results.