National survey of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: The Japanese catheter ablation registry of atrial fibrillation (J‐CARAF)

To assess the current status of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in Japan, the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society (JHRS) instituted a national registry, the Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry of AF (J‐CARAF). Methods Using an online questionnaire, the JHRS invited electrophysiology centers in Japan to voluntarily and retrospectively register data regarding the AF ablation procedures performed in September, 2011. Results A total of 128 centers submitted data regarding AF ablation procedures in 932 patients (age 62.1±10.4 years; male 76.8%; paroxysmal AF 65.7%, CHADS2 score 1.0±1.0). The majority received oral anticoagulant therapy during and following the procedure (68.9% and 97.5%, respectively). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in 97.5% of the patients; ipsilateral encircling PVI was the preferred technique (79.7%). Three‐dimensional (3D) mapping systems and irrigated‐tip catheters were used in 94.8% and 87.7% of the procedures, respectively. Ablation methods other than PVI were performed in 78.8% of all the patients and 73.5% of the patients with paroxysmal AF. Acute complications were reported in 6.2% of the patients, but no early deaths were recorded. Conclusions Ipsilateral encircling PVI, using 3D mapping and irrigated‐tip catheters, is the standard AF ablation method in Japan. However, adjunctive ablations were performed frequently, even in patients with paroxysmal AF.