Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Defining the blanking period, using continuous ECG monitoring, after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation
Authors' conclusion
Our data show that the approximately one-third of patients in whom AF occurs and who have a burden of >0% after the first month that follows PVI are at significantly higher risk of long-term recurrent AF.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients with cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and an implantable loop recorder116 [55%] paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF)
- Participants
- 210 patients
- Exposure
- Timing of last AF episode within the 3-month blanking period
- No AF days 0-90n = 96reference
- Last AF 0-30 daysn = 46
- Last AF 31-60 daysn = 18
- Last AF 61-90 daysn = 50
- Outcome
- AF recurrence after the blanking period
- Follow-up
- First year after ablation
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, implantable loop recorder monitoring
- Consecutive patients
- Implantable loop recorder monitoring
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
AF recurrence after the 3-month BP
Patients with AF recurrence after the 3-month blanking period (BP) (overall), at 160 ± 86 days
101
48%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Defining the blanking period, using continuous ECG monitoring, after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation. Heart Rhythm. Published 11 February 2024. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it