Key result
Catheter ablation of AF shows doubtful benefit for stroke prevention given low baseline embolic risk.
Why the study?
There are questions and uncertainties about the therapeutic mechanisms, long-term efficacy, and stroke prevention effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
Does radiofrequency catheter ablation prevent embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Does radiofrequency catheter ablation prevent embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation?
This review questions the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients, highlighting potential procedural embolic risks.
Should not change practice for stroke prevention in AF; leaves open the need for RCTs assessing net embolic benefit.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiofrequency-catheter-ablation of atrial fibrillation is now commonly performed. Aim of this short review is to summarize questions and uncertainties concerning radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation with respect to therapeutic mechanisms, long-term efficacy and stroke-prevention. RESULTS: The majority of atrial fibrillation patients is too old for radiofrequency ablation. Candidates for radiofrequency ablation belong to a subgroup with a low embolic risk. The radiofrequency ablation procedure itself may increase the embolic risk, and at present it is uncertain how long this embolic risk persists after the procedure. CONCLUSION: We doubt if radiofrequency ablation prevents embolism in atrial fibrillation.
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Stöllberger et al. (2008) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated on Embolic stroke prevention. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is of doubtful benefit for stroke prevention, as candidates typically have low embolic risk and the procedure itself may increase risk.
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