title: Current status of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation--updated summary of the Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (J-CARAF).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to provide precise data on the current status of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society requested that members retrospectively register data for AF ablation performed in September 2011, March 2012, and September 2012. A total of 165 centers submitted data for 3,373 patients (age, 62±11 years; male, 76.1%; paroxysmal AF, 64.4%). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and additional ablation were performed in 97.5% and 77.4% of patients, respectively. 3-D mapping systems and irrigated-tip catheters were used in 94.8% and 87.7% of the patients, respectively. Although the mean CHADS2 score was 1.0±1.0, the majority received oral anticoagulant (OAC) during and following the procedure (69.8% and 97%, respectively). Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) prescription, however, decreased (1st vs. 3rd survey, during and following the procedure, 59.3% vs. 47.8% and 81.7% vs. 55.2%, respectively, P<0.0001, both) and that of new OAC (NOAC) increased drastically (9.6% vs. 24.2% and 15.8% vs. 42.1%, respectively, P<0.0001). Early complications were reported in 4.5% of the patients, but no instance of early death was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to PVI, additional ablation procedures are also performed very frequently. Although the mean CHADS2 score was low, peri-procedural OAC therapy was commonly performed, and NOAC drastically superseded VKA.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, Sakurabashi Watanabe Hospital.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murakawa
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogami
authors.forename: Morio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shoda
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
authors.forename: Teiichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamane
authors.forename: Norishige
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okumura
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044466:Asian People; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014812:Vitamin K