title: ESC-EURObservational Research Programme: the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study, conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study is a prospective, multinational registry conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology that has been designed to describe the clinical epidemiology of patients undergoing an atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation procedure, and the diagnostic/therapeutic processes applied in these patients across Europe. We present the results of the short-term (in-hospital) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 72 centres in 10 European countries were asked to enrol 20 consecutive patients scheduled for a first AFib ablation procedure. Between October 2010 and May 2011, 1410 patients were included, of which 1391 underwent an AFib ablation (98.7%). The median age was 60 years [inter-quartile range (IQR) 52-66], and 28% were females. Two-thirds presented paroxysmal AFib and 38% lone AFib. Symptoms were present in 86%. The indications for ablation were mostly symptomatic AFib, but in over a third of patients there was also a desire for a drug-free lifestyle and the maintenance of sinus rhythm. Pulmonary vein isolation was attempted in 98.4% of patients, the roof line in 21.3% and the mitral isthmus line in 12.8%. Complex-fractionated atrial electrograms were targeted in 17.9% and the ganglionated plexi in 3.3%. Complications occurred in 7.7%, of which 1.7% was major (i.e. cardiac perforation, myocardial infraction, endocarditis, cardiac arrest, stroke, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and sepsis). The median duration of hospitalization was 3 days (IQR 2-4). At discharge, 91.4% of patients were in sinus rhythm, 88.3% of patients were given vitamin K antagonists, and 67% antiarrhythmic medication. There was one death after the ablation procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AFib Ablation Pilot Study provides crucial information on AF ablation in clinical practice across Europe. These data are relevant for further improvement of the management strategies of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology,  Thorax Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, C/ Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona,  Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arbelo
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brugada
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hindricks
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tavazzi
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vardas
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anselme
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inama
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jais
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kalarus
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kautzner
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lewalter
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mairesse
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez-Villacastin
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riahi
authors.forename: Milos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taborsky
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theodorakis
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trines
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents