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Published on: February 26, 2013
Efficacy and Safety of Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Active Duty Military Members with Atrial Fibrillation
Andrew S Wilson1, Andrea N Keithler1, Matthew A Tunzi1
1Division of Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical Center , San Antonio, TX 78234, United States.
Introduction:
There is currently limited literature reviewing the role of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation in service members. This study aims to describe the efficacy and safety of AF catheter ablation in the active duty military population.
Materials And Methods:
Military personnel with symptomatic AF who underwent ablation from 2004 to 2019 were analyzed in 4 age groups (group 1, n = 26, 18-27 years; group 2, n = 38, 28-37 years; group 3, n = 28, 38-49 years; group 4, n = 12, greater than or equal to 50 years). Primary endpoints were (1) AF control defined as no or rare AF recurrence (≤6 episodes) 3 months after last pulmonary vein isolation, and (2) procedure-related adverse events and complications.
Results:
A total of 104 personnel underwent 142 AF ablations with mean follow up of 55.8 ± 47 months. AF control was attained in 96.2% of group 1, 78.9% of group 2, 75.0% of group 3, and 66.7% of group 4 (P = .004). AF freedom was observed in 80.3% of group 1, 55.3% of group 2, 46.4% of group 3, 41.7% of group 4 (P = .02). Four (3.8%) complications occurred with none in the youngest group.
Conclusions:
AF catheter ablation is safe and most effective in younger military personnel and prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
