Thoracoscopic vs. catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: long-term follow-up of the FAST randomized trial.

ABSTRACT: AIMS:Our objectives were to compare effectiveness and long-term prognosis after epicardial thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation vs. endocardial catheter ablation, in patients with prior failed catheter ablation or high risk of failure. METHODS AND RESULTS:Patients were randomized to thoracoscopic or catheter ablation, consisting of pulmonary vein isolation with optional additional lines (2007-2010). Patients were reassessed in 2016/2017, and those without documented AF recurrence underwent 7-day ambulatory electrocardiography. The primary rhythm outcome was recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia lasting >30?s. The primary clinical endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular event, analysed with adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs). One hundred and 24 patients were randomized with 34% persistent AF and mean age 56?years. Arrhythmia recurrence was common at mean follow-up of 7.0?years, but substantially lower with thoracoscopic ablation: 34/61 (56%) compared with 55/63 (87%) with catheter ablation [adjusted HR 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.64; P?

SUBMITTER: Castella M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6479508 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature