5. Postoperative follow-up and grouping
All patients routinely took the previous antiarrhythmic drugs for at least 3 months after the operation, and took the new anticoagulants for 2 months. The patients were followed up for 3-6 months. The ECG was followed up every month, and a 24-hour Holter examination was performed at least once a month. Telephone follow-up was also set up. Symptomatic patients were asked to take ECG examination at hospital. Recurrence was defined as: rapid atrial arrhythmia (including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia) that occurred after a 3-month blank period of CPVA, confirmed by ECG or Holter, and lasted for ≥30 s. AF recurrence occurring in the first 3 months after the ablation (blanking period) were not counted for the purpose of the present analysis.