Feasibility and safety of outpatient radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a procedure performed typically in an inpatient setting. The feasibility and safety of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF were evaluated on an outpatient basis.


METHODS
230 AF ablation procedures were performed in 206 patients (74% male; mean age 56+/-9 years). Patients were admitted to the hospital outpatient facility in the morning for the AF ablation procedure on the same day. The ablation strategy consisted of wide area circumferential lines around both ipsilateral pulmonary veins. After monitoring in the outpatient service, patients were discharged on the same day, if they were clinically stable.


RESULTS
Mean procedure time was 201+/-31 min. Major complications occurred in seven patients (3%). One patient (0.4%) suffered a minor stroke and six patients had pericardial tamponade requiring percutaneous drainage. Patients could be discharged on the same day following 205 (89%) procedures. Among the 148 patients whose clinical outcome was assessed at 6 months, 127 (86%) had a reduction of the total symptomatic AF episodes, compared to pre-ablation, with a complete lack of symptoms in 101 patients (68%).


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter ablation of AF on the day of admission is feasible and safe with a low risk of complications. The vast majority of the patients can be discharged on the same day.
Haegeli
Laurent M
LM
Department of Cardiology, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. laurent.haegeli@usz.ch
Duru
Firat
F
Lockwood
Evan E
EE
Lüscher
Thomas F
TF
Sterns
Laurence D
LD
Novak
Paul G
PG
Leather
Richard A
RA
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants