Catheter ablation maintained sinus rhythm better than antiarrhythmic drugs after one procedure (58% vs 43%, P=0.003) but had a higher risk of acute adverse events (6.7% vs 1%, P<0.001).
Cohort (n=412)
Does catheter ablation improve sinus rhythm maintenance and quality of life compared to antiarrhythmic drugs in elderly patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation?
Catheter ablation is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for long-term rhythm control and QoL improvement in elderly patients with persistent AF, though it carries a higher acute periprocedural embolic risk.
Absolute Event Rate: 58% vs 43%
p-value: p=0.003
BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) impact of catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) in elderly patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred and twelve consecutive patients, aged ≥ 70 years, underwent ablation (Group A, 153 patients) or AAD (Group B, 259 patients). Study endpoints: treatment failure (any AF/AT lasting >30 seconds) and treatment-related adverse events (acute when ≤1 month of procedure and long term when >1 month). At a follow-up of 60 ± 17 months, 43% and 46% patients in Group B versus 58% and 76% in Group A were in sinus rhythm (SR), respectively, after one (P = 0.003) and 2 procedures (P < 0.001). Fifteen acute adverse events occurred (6.7% in Group A vs 1% in Group B, P < 0.001), mainly periprocedural cerebral thromboembolism (3.3% in Group A vs 0.7% in Group B, P = 0.058). Previous TIA/stroke resulted the only independent predictor of periprocedural cerebrovascular accidents (OR 1.2, 95%IC 1.1-1.3). At follow-up, 74 long-term adverse events occurred (7.7% in Group A vs 23.9% in Group B, P < 0.001) with Group B patients more often experiencing AAD-related adverse events (12.7% vs 2.6%, P < 0.001). Group A and absence of AF/AT recurrences significantly improved QoL scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly persistent AF patients, catheter ablation is more effective in maintaining SR and in improving QoL than AAD but is affected by a higher risk of embolic complications, particularly in patients with previous TIA/stroke. Over time, Group A patients more likely discontinued AAD with a reduction of long-term adverse events.
Blandino et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (n=412). catheter ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) was evaluated on sinus rhythm (SR) after one procedure (p=0.003). Catheter ablation maintained sinus rhythm better than antiarrhythmic drugs after one procedure (58% vs 43%, P=0.003) but had a higher risk of acute adverse events (6.7% vs 1%, P<0.001).