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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: May 29, 2015
Is inducibility of atrial fibrillation after radio frequency ablation really a relevant prognostic factor?
Bernhard Richter1, Marianne Gwechenberger, Peter Filzmoser
1Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. bernhard.richter@meduniwien.ac.at
European Heart Journal
|October 14, 2006
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility after ablation predicts recurrence, but the induction test lacks diagnostic accuracy. Non-inducibility is not a reliable endpoint for successful radiofrequency ablation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Radiofrequency ablation is a common treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF).
- Assessing procedural success and predicting recurrence after ablation remains crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of inducible atrial fibrillation (AF) following radiofrequency ablation.
- To determine if AF inducibility can serve as a reliable endpoint for successful ablation procedures.
Main Methods:
- 234 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent either Lasso-guided or CARTO-guided ablation.
- AF was induced post-ablation using coronary sinus stimulation.
- Patients were followed for at least 6 months to assess recurrence.
Main Results:
- 67% of paroxysmal and 48% of persistent AF patients were AF-free at 6 months.
- AF inducibility was a significant predictor of AF recurrence (HR=2.19, P<0.001).
- The AF induction test showed low diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 46.7%, specificity 75%).
Conclusions:
- Inducibility of AF post-ablation is a significant predictor of AF recurrence.
- Non-inducibility of AF after ablation is not a reliable indicator of procedural success due to low diagnostic accuracy.
