title: European experience of the convergent atrial fibrillation procedure: multicenter outcomes in consecutive patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this collaborative, multicenter, European effort was to evaluate the outcomes of the convergent procedure for the treatment of persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in consecutive patients at 4 European centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes of consecutive patients, undergoing the convergent procedure at 4 European centers, were evaluated in this study. Epicardial ablation was performed before endocardial ablation. Convergent procedure outcomes were recorded by interrogation of implanted loop recorders or Holter monitors. Rhythm status and required interventions (antiarrhythmic drugs, cardioversions, and repeat ablations) were quantified 6 and 12 months after the procedure. Outcomes, monitoring type, and patient baseline characteristics were analyzed and reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three consecutive patients presenting with persistent AF (30.1%) or long-standing persistent AF (69.9%) underwent the convergent procedure between January 2010 and December 2011. At 6 months, 82% (56/68) were in sinus rhythm. At 12 months, 80% (53/66) were in sinus rhythm; single-procedure maintenance of sinus rhythm without postblanking period interventions was 76% (50/66); 52% (34/66) were in sinus rhythm and not receiving antiarrhythmic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This multicenter European collaborative effort demonstrated that the convergent procedure is a safe and efficacious treatment option for persistent and long-standing persistent AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: bgersak@maat.si.
authors.forename: Borut
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geršak
authors.affiliation: Silesian Center For Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Zembala
authors.affiliation: Herz-und Gefäßzentrum, Bad Bevensen, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Folliguet
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Matevz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.affiliation: Silesian Center For Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Oskar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Herz-und Gefäßzentrum, Bad Bevensen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erler
authors.affiliation: L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bars
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robic
authors.affiliation: Silesian Center For Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Filipiak
authors.affiliation: Herz-und Gefäßzentrum, Bad Bevensen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wimmer-Greinecker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome