Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in antiarrhythmic drug–naïve patients
Main finding · Freedom from AF recurrenceResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 0.80 95% CI 0.66–0.97Authors' conclusion
In this large prospective cohort, the proportion of AAD-naïve patients undergoing ablation increased over time. In PAF, AAD-naïve patients had better outcomes than those with previous AAD. In PersAF, AAD-naïve patients had similar outcomes to those with previous AAD.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation at the Cleveland Clinic, 2013–202230% ablation in antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) naïve
- Participants
- 4,900 patients
- Exposure
- AAD naïve vs previous AAD before AF ablation
- Outcome
- Freedom from AF
- Follow-up
- 3 years
Methodological detailssingle-centre, prospective registry
- Single-centre
- Prospective registry
Main finding
Freedom from AF recurrence
Hazard ratio
0.80
95% CI 0.66–0.97
P = 0.02
AAD naïvevs Previous AAD
HR 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.97); P = 0.02
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Proportion of AAD-naïve patients undergoing ablation
- Increasing trend during the study period
Quality of life (AF symptom severity scale)
- Improvement after ablation in all groups, irrespective of previous AAD use
Original publication
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in antiarrhythmic drug–naïve patients. Heart Rhythm. Published 9 July 2025. doi:10.
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