Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation : Long-term results of circumferential pulmonary vein ablation in combination with a linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation has become the first line of therapy in patients with symptomatic, recurrent, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. However, catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation is still a challenge. Various relatively complex ablation strategies exist and their results are not very favorable. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate a well-defined reasonable approach to catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation. The strategy consisted of a circumferential pulmonary vein ablation in combination with a linear lesion at the roof of the left atrium.

METHODS: A total of 150 patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation using the abovementioned approach.

RESULTS: The ablation procedure could be performed as planned in all 150 patients. Five years after catheter ablation, the success rate was 71.3% (no arrhythmia recurrence in 107 out of 150 patients). There were no major complications during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation can be performed safely and effectively using this ablation strategy providing favorable long-term follow-up results.