Key result
Contact force-guided ablation for paroxysmal AF was associated with a 35.2% late recurrence rate compared to 55.7% for non-CF ablation, with early recurrence at 3 months predicting late recurrence.
Why the study?
The definition of early recurrence within 3 months after AF ablation was established before contact force technology, leaving its significance as a risk factor for late recurrence unclear in the CF era.
Does the use of contact force technology during radiofrequency catheter ablation alter the predictive value of early recurrence for late recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Cohort (n=395)
Does the use of contact force technology during radiofrequency catheter ablation alter the predictive value of early recurrence for late recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 35.2% vs 55.7%
The traditional 3-month blanking period after atrial fibrillation ablation may need to be shortened to 2 months when using contact force technology, as early recurrence in the third month is highly predictive of late recurrence.
Early recurrence at 3 months predicts late recurrence with contact force ablation; leaves open whether blanking period should be shortened in paroxysmal AF.
INTRODUCTION: Early recurrence (ER) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is defined as the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias within 3 months after AF ablation, however, this definition is based on data from the era of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), without contact force (CF) technology. We investigated the significance of ER as a risk factor for late recurrence (LR) in paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients treated with CF and non-CF-guided ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 395 patients with PAF who underwent RFCA. Of these, 97 patients underwent RFCA without-CF technology (non-CF group) and 298 underwent with CF technology (CF group). Over a 2-year postablation follow-up period, LR occurred in 54 (55.7%) patients in the non-CF group, and in 105 (35.2%) patients in the CF group. ER had a more significant relationship with LR in the CF group, and all patients in the CF group with ER in the third month developed LR. CONCLUSION: PAF patients with ER who have undergone CF-guided ablation have a greater risk of LR than those who have undergone non-CF-guided ablation. ER in the third month after CF-guided ablation may indicate an absolute risk of LR. Blanking period could be defined as 2 months in the CF era.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Uetake et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=395). Contact force-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation vs. Non-contact force-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated on Late recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Contact force-guided ablation for paroxysmal AF was associated with a 35.2% late recurrence rate compared to 55.7% for non-CF ablation, with early recurrence at 3 months predicting late recurrence.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: