Limitations
The main limitation of the study is an observational, non-randomized,
retrospective, low sample size design. The low sample size affected also
statistical power and it prevented to analyze if there were any
differences in outcome depending on type of sport and time distance
between AF diagnosis and CA time. Furthermore, assessment of
recrudescence was performed mainly with 24-hour Holter monitoring and
asymptomatic AF episodes may have been lost. However, athletes tended to
be more often symptomatic than NA and asymptomatic AF should not have
significantly affected success rate in athletes. CTI concomitant
ablation was left to operator choice and it may have affected final
results. Further prospective studies with a larger number of patients
are required.