Evaluation of Efficacy and Long-term Results of Catheter Ablation in Drug-refractory Atrial Fibrillation

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Treatment of atrial fibrillation(AF) is important arrhythmia for prevention of cerebral infarction and maintenance of QOL. AF is sometimes refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Radiofrequency catheter ablation(CA) is a curative method for such AF patients. However, evaluation of AF recurrence after CA is variable among institutions. We utilized home monitoring with patient's activating event ECG recorders(EvR), and compared EvR with conventional methods. EvR was very useful tool for detection of AF, especially asymptomatic AF. Conventional methods underestimated AF recurrence rate than EvR ECGs. Predictors of AF recurrence after CA of AF were AF type, underlying diseases, left atrial size, and CHADS2-VASc score. We conclude that CA for AF is more effective when performed early AF stage, during the periods with less load to the left atrium in low CHADS2-VASc score AF patients without structural heart disease. Risk control of AF is also important after CA in such patients.