Predictive value of the induction test with atrial burst pacing with regard to long‐term recurrence after ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation

Background Induction test of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is one of endpoint measures in catheter ablation ( CA ). However, its predictive value in long‐term outcome remains controversial. Methods Ninety‐eight patients (61 years, 77 males) with persistent AF who underwent pulmonary vein antrum isolation‐based CA were retrospectively analyzed. We determined whether inducibility of AF /atrial tachyarrhythmias ( AT ) by atrial burst pacing at the end of CA and other characteristics were associated with the recurrence of AF / AT . Atrial burst pacing was performed with 30‐beat from the coronary sinus; increasing from 240 to 320 ppm. Inducibility was defined as AF / AT lasting ≥5 minutes following atrial burst pacing. Results AF / AT was induced in 50 patients (51%). During 1 year of follow‐up, 71 patients (72.4%) had no recurrence of AF / AT . A logistic regression analysis showed that female gender ( OR 3.8; P = 0.02), multiple sessions ( OR 3.5; P = 0.02), and early recurrence of AF / AT ( OR 5.3; P = 0.004) were associated with clinical recurrence. AF / AT Inducibility was not associated with clinical recurrence ( P = 0.65). A subanalysis in patients with enlarged LA ( LA diameter ≥45 mm, n = 40) showed that AF / AT inducibility was associated with recurrence ( OR 8.1; P = 0.04). The positive and negative predictive values of AF / AT inducibility for AF / AT recurrence were 41 and 89%, respectively. Negative predictive value was increased to 92.3% when the inducibility was defined as AF / AT of ≥30 seconds following atrial burst pacing. Conclusions AF / AT inducibility cannot predict long‐term clinical recurrence in patients with persistent AF . However, it may have a prognostic value especially in patients with enlarged LA .