Key result
Catheter ablation improves rhythm control and reduces recurrence over medical therapy, despite more minor complications.
Why the study?
With an increasing emphasis on rhythm control strategies for AF, this study aimed to comprehensively assess and compare the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation versus medical therapy.
Does catheter ablation improve rhythm control and reduce recurrence compared to medical therapy in adults with atrial fibrillation?
Systematic Review (n=2,859)
Does catheter ablation improve rhythm control and reduce recurrence compared to medical therapy in adults with atrial fibrillation?
This systematic review confirms that catheter ablation offers superior efficacy in achieving and maintaining rhythm control over medical therapy, supporting its broader use in early AF management.
Supports catheter ablation for AF rhythm control; challenges low-certainty evidence against its benefit.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) management has witnessed a paradigm shift, with an increasing emphasis on rhythm control strategies. This systematic review aims to comprehensively assess and compare the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation versus medical therapy in the treatment of AF. A systematic search was conducted across major electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to the present. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing catheter ablation with medical therapy for AF were included. The primary outcomes included rhythm control success, recurrence rates, and adverse events. Secondary outcomes encompassed quality of life, hospitalization rates, and mortality. A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 2,859 participants. Catheter ablation significantly improved rhythm control success compared to medical therapy. Subgroup analyses demonstrated variations in outcomes based on patient characteristics, procedural techniques, and follow-up durations. Recurrence rates favored ablation; however, ablation was associated with a higher incidence of minor complications and major adverse events. Catheter ablation demonstrates superior efficacy in achieving and maintaining rhythm control compared to medical therapy in the management of AF. Despite the increased risk of procedural complications, the overall safety profile remains acceptable. This systematic review provides valuable insights for clinicians and informs shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers when choosing between catheter ablation and medical therapy for AF treatment.
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Karim et al. (2024) conducted a systematic review in Atrial Fibrillation (n=2,859). Catheter ablation vs. Medical therapy was evaluated on Rhythm control success, recurrence rates, and adverse events. Catheter ablation significantly improved rhythm control success and reduced recurrence rates compared to medical therapy, though it was associated with a higher incidence of minor complications.
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