Key result
Early atrial arrhythmia recurrence after AT ablation is linked to ~53% higher late recurrence risk.
Why the study?
The prognostic significance of early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia following ablation of atrial tachycardia consecutive to ablation of atrial fibrillation was uncertain.
Cohort (n=194)
No
Hazard Ratio: 1.53 (95% CI 1.05–2.34)
Absolute Event Rate: 69% vs 57.7%
p-value: p=0.02
Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia within 56 days after ablation of atrial tachycardia consecutive to atrial fibrillation ablation is a significant predictor of late recurrence.
May indicate need for closer surveillance after early recurrence post-AT ablation; extends AF blanking observations but leaves open optimal duration.
Background In patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), arrhythmia recurrence during the blanking period is usually not considered failure of treatment. The prognostic significance of early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia following ablation of atrial tachycardia (AT) consecutive to ablation of AF is less certain. Objective To explore the association between early and late recurrence of atrial arrhythmia following ablation of AT consecutive to ablation of AF. Methods Patients undergoing a first ablation of AT consecutive to ablation of atrial fibrillation between 2015 and 2021 were included in this retrospective, single center, observational cohort study. Recurrent atrial arrythmia was defined as AT or AF lasting more than 30 seconds. Regression models were built to assess the association between early (within 56 days) and late (beyond 56 days) recurrence of AT. Results A total of 194 patients were included (mean age 67 ± 10 years, 63% male), of whom 71 (37%) had had pulmonary vein isolation only, and 123 (63%) had received complex ablation of atrial fibrillation during their index procedure. Fifty-two patients (27%) had early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia. During a mean follow-up of 23.6 ± 15.5 months, 118 patients (61%) had late recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (111 with AT, 7 with AF). Early recurrence was associated with late recurrence (HR: 1.53 CI: 1.05 – 2.34, p=0.02). Conclusion One in four patients undergoing catheter ablation of AT consecutive to ablation of AF had recurrent atrial arrhythmia within 56 days after ablation. Early recurrence was associated with late recurrence of atrial arrhythmia.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Spittler et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Atrial tachycardia consecutive to ablation of atrial fibrillation (n=194). Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (within 56 days) vs. No early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was evaluated on Late recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (beyond 56 days) (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.05-2.34, p=0.02). Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia within 56 days after ablation of atrial tachycardia was associated with a significantly higher risk of late recurrence (HR 1.53).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: