What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Atrial fibrillation (n=26335). Intervention: Protocolized same-day discharge vs. Overnight stay. Primary outcome: 30-day unplanned medical contact (readmissions or emergency visits) (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.78).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of same day discharge versus overnight stay after atrial fibrillation ablation.

May 20, 2026Journal of Interventional Cardiac ElectrophysiologyOpen Access

Same-day discharge versus overnight stay after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Key result

Structured same-day discharge after AF ablation cuts 30-day unplanned medical contact ~37% vs. overnight stay.

OR 0.63
95% CI 0.51-0.78
n=26,335

Why the study?

The safety of same day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation remained uncertain because prior evidence relied mainly on heterogeneous observational studies with limited control of confounding.

Does protocolized same day discharge improve safety and healthcare utilization compared to overnight hospitalization in adults undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?

Comparison

Protocolized same day discharge vs overnight hospitalization

Follow-up

30 days

Authors

MTMartín Rebolledo del ToroPontificia Universidad Javeriana MGMaría Alejandra Robledo GómezPontificia Universidad Javeriana ÓMÓscar MúñozPontificia Universidad Javeriana

Discussion

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Implication

Supports same-day discharge after electrophysiology procedures; confirms lower 30-day readmission or ED visit risk in this RCT.

Key Points

This review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of same day discharge versus overnight stay after atrial fibrillation ablation.
Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies from 1994 to May 2025.
Included 19 studies with 26,335 patients focusing on discharge protocols after atrial fibrillation ablation with pulmonary vein isolation.
Analyzed outcomes such as mortality, unplanned medical contact, and complications using pooled odds ratios.
Average success rate for same day discharge was 89%.
Pooled odds ratio for unplanned medical contact was 0.63 (95% CI 0.51–0.78), favoring same day discharge.
Mortality and complication rates were low and did not differ significantly between groups.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=26,335)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does protocolized same day discharge improve safety and healthcare utilization compared to overnight hospitalization in adults undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?

Population

26,335 adults undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with pulmonary vein isolation across 19 studies (2 randomized trials and 17 non-randomized studies)

Intervention

Protocolized same day discharge

Comparator

Overnight hospitalization

Outcome

All-cause mortality, short term (30-day) unplanned medical contact (readmissions or emergency visits), and procedural complicationssafety

Main Result

Effect estimate: OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.51-0.78)

Structured same-day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation appears safe and is associated with fewer 30-day unplanned medical contacts compared to overnight stay in selected outpatients.

Limitations

Predominance of nonrandomized evidence with moderate to serious risk of bias
Residual confounding and selection bias
Heterogeneous outcome definitions and follow-up windows across studies
None of the included studies evaluated pulsed-field ablation
Exclusion of high-risk patients limits generalizability
Most non-randomized studies had moderate to serious risk of bias
Definitions of complications varied across studies
Lack of data in higher-risk populations
Need to evaluate safety of newer ablation technologies

Cite This Study

Toro et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Atrial fibrillation (n=26,335). Protocolized same-day discharge vs. Overnight stay was evaluated on 30-day unplanned medical contact (readmissions or emergency visits) (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.78). Structured same-day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation reduced the odds of 30-day unplanned medical contact by 37% compared to overnight stay (OR 0.63).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0d5089f03e14405aa9c53f https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-026-02286-x

Topics

Atrial fibrillation Persistent AF management AF ablation outcomes Anticoagulation in AF

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Same-day discharge versus overnight stay after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Discussion

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Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

Topics

Same-day discharge versus overnight stay after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

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