Corresponding author
Shunsuke Uetake, MD, PhD
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba
Hokusoh Hospital
1715 Kamagari, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1694, Japan
E-mail address: s00-015@nms.ac.jp
Abstract
Introduction: Early recurrence (ER) of atrial fibrillation (AF)
is defined as the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias within 3 months
after AF ablation, however, this definition is based on data from the
era of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), without contact force
(CF) technology. We investigated the significance of ER as a risk factor
for late recurrence (LR) in paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients treated with CF
and non-CF-guided ablation.
Methods and Results : We studied 395 patients with PAF who
underwent RFCA. Of these, 97 patients underwent RFCA without CF
technology (Non-CF group) and 298 underwent with CF technology (CF
group). Over a 2-year post-ablation follow-up period, LR occurred in 54
of 97 (55.7%) patients in the Non-CF group, and in 105 of 298 (35.2%)
patients in the CF group. ER had a more significant relationship with LR
in the CF than in the Non-CF group, and all patients in the CF group
with ER in the 3rd month developed LR.
Conclusion : ER in PAF patients who have undergone CF-guided
ablation have a greater risk of LR than those who have undergone
non-CF-guided ablation. ER in the 3rd month after
CF-guided ablation may indicate an absolute risk of LR. Blanking period
could be defined as 2 months in the CF era.
Key Words : Atrial fibrillation, contact force, early
recurrence, blanking period, ablation