Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Impact of early vs. delayed atrial fibrillation catheter ablation on atrial arrhythmia recurrences
Corrected 23 Oct 2026: Measure wording clarified; no values changed.
Authors' conclusion
Compared with an early ablation strategy, delaying AF ablation by 12 months for AAD management did not result in reduced ablation efficacy.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) referred to a tertiary centre89 completed (48 vs 41)
- Participants
- 100 patients
- Comparison
- Early vs delayed AF catheter ablation
- Primary endpoint
- Atrial arrhythmia free survival
- Follow-up
- 12 months post-ablation
Methodological detailssingle tertiary centre, 1:1 randomisation, Pulmonary vein isolation achieved in 100% of patients
- Single tertiary centre
- 1:1 randomisation
- Pulmonary vein isolation achieved in 100% of patients
Primary result
Freedom from recurrent arrhythmia · 12 months
Hazard ratio
1.12
95% CI 0.59–2.13, event not clearly stated
P = 0.7
By group
As reported in the abstract
Secondary outcomes
Antiarrhythmic drug use · 12 months
P = 0.8
Median
| Outcome | Early | Delayed | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF burden | 0% (IQR 3.2) | 0% (IQR 5) | P = 0.66 |
| AF burden, paroxysmal AF (subgroup) | 0% (IQR 1.1) | 0% (IQR 4.5) | P = 0.78 |
| AF burden, persistent AF (subgroup) | 0% (IQR 22.8) | 0% (IQR 5.6) | P = 0.45 |
Original publication
Impact of early vs. delayed atrial fibrillation catheter ablation on atrial arrhythmia recurrences. Eur Heart J. Published 16 April 2023. doi:10.
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