Key result
Concomitant left atrial appendage electric isolation and occlusion during persistent AF ablation significantly increased freedom from AF at 12 months compared to ablation alone (95% vs 63%, P=0.036).
Why the study?
Does concomitant LAA electrical isolation and mechanical occlusion improve freedom from atrial fibrillation compared to ablation alone in patients with long-standing persistent AF?
RCT (n=62)
Does concomitant LAA electrical isolation and mechanical occlusion improve freedom from atrial fibrillation compared to ablation alone in patients with long-standing persistent AF?
Absolute Event Rate: 95% vs 63%
p-value: p=0.036
Concomitant LAA electrical isolation and mechanical occlusion during persistent AF ablation is feasible, safe, and significantly improves freedom from AF at 12 months compared to ablation alone.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
May benefit persistent AF ablation; hypothesis-generating from observational data, requiring RCTs before practice change.
Panikker et al. (2016) conducted an RCT in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (n=62). Left atrial appendage electric isolation and occlusion vs. AF ablation alone was evaluated on Freedom from AF at 12 months without antiarrhythmic drugs (p=0.036). Concomitant left atrial appendage electric isolation and occlusion during persistent AF ablation significantly increased freedom from AF at 12 months compared to ablation alone (95% vs 63%, P=0.036).
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