Ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation—real-life results from a middle-volume electrophysiology laboratory

INTRODUCTION: A significant improvement in safety and efficacy of ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been reported by experienced centers over recent years; however, data from real-life surveys and smaller electrophysiology (EP) laboratories have been less optimistic. AIM: To asses efficacy of ablation for PAF in a middle-volume EP center over last years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1 year efficacy and safety of ablation for PAF in three cohorts of patients treated between 2011 and 2014 (period I), 2015–2017 (period II), and 2018–2019 (period III). RESULTS: Of 234 patients (mean age 57 ± 9 years, 165 males), 81 (35%) were treated in period I, 84 (36%) in period II, and 69 (29%) in period III. The overall efficacy of ablation during all analyzed periods was 67%. The overall efficacy of ablation increased over time—from 56% in period I to 68% in period II and 81% in period III. Significant improvement was achieved using radiofrequency ablation (RF) (53% in period I vs 82% in period III, and 55% in period II vs 82% in period III, p = 0.003 and 0.0012, respectively) whereas positive trend in the improvement of cryoballoon efficacy was NS. The rate of peri-procedural complications was 9% and it did not change significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: This real-life observational study from a medium volume EP center shows that progress in PAF ablation, especially RF, reported by highly-skilled centers, can be reproduced in real life by less experienced operators.