Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
Published on: May 26, 2015
Long-term outcomes after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: an observational study over 6 years
Gareth J Wynn1, Moutaz El-Kadri2, Iram Haq2
1Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Insights
Catheter ablation (CA) for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) is safe and improves symptoms for most patients. However, arrhythmia recurrence after CA is common, with most occurring within two years.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Limited long-term outcome data exists for catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF).
- Assessing recurrence and symptom relief is crucial for evaluating CA effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze long-term outcomes of CA for PeAF.
- To evaluate arrhythmia recurrence and symptomatic improvement up to 6 years post-ablation.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of consecutive PeAF patients undergoing CA from 2008-2010.
- Follow-up data collected via hospital records, GPs, referring hospitals, and phone contact.
- Assessment of arrhythmia recurrence and symptom relief.
Main Results:
- 188 patients underwent a mean of 1.75 procedures.
- Arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 75% after the first procedure and 48% after the final procedure.
- 82% of patients reported symptomatic improvement, with a low complication rate (2.3%) and no stroke or death.
Conclusions:
- CA for PeAF is safe with significant symptomatic improvement for most patients.
- Arrhythmia recurrence is common after CA, with 90% of recurrences observed within 2 years.
- Long-term follow-up is necessary as recurrences can occur even after 5 years of remission.
Objectives:
To address the limited long-term outcome data for catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), we analysed consecutive ablations performed at our centre from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 and followed patients prospectively until January 2014.
Methods:
Both arrhythmia recurrence and symptom relief were assessed. Follow-up data were collected from hospital records, supplemented by data from general practitioners and referring hospitals. At the end of the follow-up period, all patients were contacted by phone to determine their up-to-date clinical condition.
Results:
188 consecutive patients with PeAF (157 male, mean age 57.3±9.7 years, 20% with long-standing PeAF) underwent a mean of 1.75 procedures (range 1-4). Telephone follow-up was achieved for 77% of surviving patients. Over a mean follow-up of 46±16 months (range 4-72), 139 (75%) patients experienced arrhythmia recurrence after a single procedure and 90 (48%) after their final procedure. Median time to first recurrence was 210 days (range 91-1850). 71% of recurrences were within the first year following ablation and 91% within 2 years. At final follow-up, 82% of patients reported symptomatic improvement. 7 (2.3%) major complications occurred, and there was no procedure-related death or stroke.
Conclusions:
CA for PeAF is safe with a low rate of complications. Over a follow-up period of up to 6 years, a large majority of patients experience significant symptomatic improvement but recurrence after the initial procedure is the norm rather than the exception. 2 years' follow-up is sufficient to observe 90% of AF recurrences, but recurrence can occur even after 5 years' remission.
