Long-term results of radiofrequency catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation: five years of follow-up]

Aim. To evaluate long-term results of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) vs. rate-control strategy in patients with long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) Methods. We assessed 5-years results in 66 patients (53.3 +/- 12.3 years old, 8 women) with long-lasting persistent AF who underwent RFA (ablation group), as well as in age-gender-AF duration-matched patients who were treated with rate-control strategy (rate-control group). The ablation strategy consisted of wide-area circumferential lines around pulmonary veins, roof lines and extensive RFA of the left atrial substrate modification using a three-dimensional mapping system. Incidence of sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance, death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), worsening of heart failure (NYHA) were evaluated after 5 years of follow-up. Results. After 5 years of follow up SR was present in 38 (56%) of 42 who were under follow up patients of ablation group and all patients had AF in rate-control group (95% CI 0.02247-0.3598; p=0.0001). Seventeen (27%) patients of ablation group continued to take atniarrhythmic drugs. 29 (44%) patients of ablation group vs. 48 (73%) patients of rate-control group received warfarin (95% CI 0.442-1.1; p=0.046) at five years of follow up. After five years of follow up the incidence of MI, stroke, worsening of heart failure functional class, and death in the ablation/rate-control groups were 0%/7.5% (95% CI 0.05247-0.30898; p=0,006), 0%/9% (95% CI 0.08903-0.32561; p=0.001), 6%/25% (95% CI 0.147-0.894; p=0.006), and 0.02%/0%, respectively. Conclusions. In patients with long-lasting persistent AF ablation strategy results in stable SR in the majority of patients, and decreased incidence of cardiovascular events compared with rate-control strategy during up to 5 years of follow-up.