title: Efficacy, safety and outcome of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in octogenarians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Catheter ablation is effective in treating patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and outcome of catheter ablation for AF in octogenarians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  377 consecutive patients were divided into three groups based on age: ≥80 years (group 1; n=49), 70-79 years (group 2; n=151), 60-69 years (group 3; n=177). The efficacy and safety for those three groups were determined. The success rate after one procedure was similar in three groups (70% in group 1, 72% in group2 and 74% in group 3, P=NS) during a mean follow-up of 18 months. Major complication rates were comparable between the three groups. However, the octogenarians were less likely to undergo a repeated procedure than other groups (8% in group 1, 15% in group 2 and 18% in group 3, P<0.05), and were more likely to remain on antiarrhythmic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catheter ablation for AF attempted in octogenarians appears to be effective and with low risk. Ablation results are comparable with those noted in younger patients.
authors.forename: Hong-wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xin-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hai-feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Guo-shu
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jia-ning
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Wei-feng
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome