Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A comparison of first-line vs second-line therapy
Authors' conclusion
First-line CA for PAF demonstrated similar efficacy and safety to second-line CA within 1 year. The registry was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN 000028288) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03729232).
Study context
- Population
- Patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) who underwent catheter ablation (CA) from 2017 to 2020 in the J-AB registrymedian age 69 years, 35% were women
- Participants
- 5,011 patients
- Exposure
- CA as first-line versus second-line therapy
- Outcome
- Recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after a 90-day blanking period
- Follow-up
- Within 1 year
Methodological detailsJapan Nationwide Ablation (J-AB) registry
- Japan Nationwide Ablation (J-AB) registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Recurrence rates were comparable (overall)
- 10.0%
- Log-rank
- P = .49
- Cox regression showed no significant difference in efficacy; adjusted hazard ratio (group order not stated)
- 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.88-1.28, P = .55
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for beta-blocker use
Safety
Major complications, including severe bleeding, stroke, and gastrointestinal disorders
- Safety outcomes were also similar
Original publication
Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A comparison of first-line vs second-line therapy. Heart Rhythm. Published 24 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →