Prognostic Significance of Short Episodes of Atrial Tachycardia on the Success Rate of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients with Paroxysmal and Persistent AF

Introduction: Atrial tachycardia (AT) lasting more than 30 sec. recorded beyond the blanking period is considered as recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The prognostic significance of shorter episode of AT post ablation is unknown.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of short episodes of AT lasting less than 30 sec. on the success rate of AF ablation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Methods: 139 consecutive pts. with paroxysmal and persistent AF underwent AF ablation between January 1^st 2015 and December 26^th 2016.

Clinical and electrocardiographic follow-up was performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, every6 months thereafter. Episodes of AT on Holter lasting less then 30 sec. were analyzed for the prediction of AF recurrence.

Results: 139 consecutive patients underwent CPVI (88 males, aged 62 ±10 y). 38 (27.3%) had persistent AF.

During a mean period of 287 ± 182 days, 28 (20%) patients of the total cohort experienced AF recurrence. Patients with persistent or paroxysmal AF did not differ in AF recurrence rate (26% vs. 22% respectively, p=0.66). 66 pts. had short AT episodes post ablation. The mean number if AT beats was 9 ±8 and the mean HR was 130 ± 12 bpm/min. Pts. who had multiple AT episodes of

Conclusions: Multiple (>1) episodes of short AT in the blanking period is associated with AF recurrence post ablation both in paroxysmal and persistent AF.