Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
The blanking interval after atrial fibrillation ablation: time for reassessment with pulsed field energy
Authors' conclusion
Early recurrences following PFA are strongly predictive of long-term arrhythmia recurrence and are unlikely to represent transient inflammatory phenomena.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients undergoing pulsed field ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF), Mayo Clinic health system
- Participants
- 1,162 patients
- Exposure
- Early recurrence vs no early recurrence after PFA
- Outcome
- AF-free survival
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients
- Consecutive patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Late recurrence beyond 90 days
Early recurrence vs No early recurrenceHazard ratio (95% CI)P value
30-day threshold
5.9(4.4–7.9)
P < 0.0160-day threshold
6.6(5.0–8.6)
P < 0.0190-day threshold
9.1(7.0–11.7)
P < 0.01- Estimated AF-free survival at 1 year
- 70%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year AF burden >1% or repeat AF ablation, continuous rhythm monitoring subgroup · 30-day threshold | 25.0 (6.6–126.8) | P < 0.01 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
1-year AF burden >1% or repeat AF ablation, continuous rhythm monitoring subgroup
- Associations with late recurrence remained significant with continuous rhythm monitoring
Original publication
The blanking interval after atrial fibrillation ablation: time for reassessment with pulsed field energy. Europace. Published 25 March 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it