[Chronic outcome of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation post catheter ablation].
OBJECTIVE
High short-term successful rate was reported for catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), we analyzed the long-term outcome (success rate, anticoagulation therapy and embolism event, anti-arrhythmic therapy and death post procedure) of catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF in this study.


METHODS
From January 2000 to December 2004, 106 consecutive patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF underwent catheter ablation and were followed-up for (60.7 + or - 11.8) months. Segmental pulmonary vein isolation (SPVI) was routinely performed by radiofrequency energy under the guidance of circular mapping catheter. The patients were followed up with 24 h-holter, ECG, telephone or letter. Data on recurrence of AF, the anticoagulation medication and the incidence of embolism, anti-arrhythmic therapy were obtained.


RESULTS
There were 9 patients lost to follow up. In the remaining 97 patients [65 males, (54.8 + or - 11.2) years old], 3 cases died from cancer, sinus rhythm was maintained in 68 patients (Group S, 72.3%) and AF recurrence evidenced in 26 patients (Group R, 27.7%). In Group S, 56 patients (82.4%) discontinued anticoagulation medication, and 12 patients continued to take aspirin. There was no embolism event in Group S during follow-up. In Group R, 1 patient continued to take warfarin; 11 patients continued to take aspirin and 2 patients suffered from cerebral embolism. Anticoagulation medication was discontinued in 14 patients (53.8%) and 1 patient suffered form cerebral embolism. The incidence of embolism event in Group R is significantly higher than in Group S (P < 0.01). More patients discontinued anti-arrhythmic medication in Group S than in Group R (80.9% vs. 56.0%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter ablation is associated with satisfactory long-term success rate, reduced anti-arrhythmia medication, improved quality of life in patients with paroxysmal AF.
Lin
Yu-bi
YB
Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
Xia
Yun-long
YL
Gao
Lian-jun
LJ
Chu
Zhen-liang
ZL
Cong
Pei-xin
PX
Chang
Dong
D
Yin
Xiao-meng
XM
Zhang
Shu-long
SL
Yang
Dong-Hui
DH
Yang
Yan-Zong
YZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies