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.