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Ablation vs Medication as Initial Therapy for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
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  • Jakrin Kewcharoen,
  • Narut Prasitlumku,
  • Ronpichai Chokesuwattanaskul,
  • Ruiyang Yi,
  • Krit Jongnarangsin,
  • Thomas Bunch,
  • Ravi Ranjan,
  • Leenhapong Navaravong
Jakrin Kewcharoen
University of Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program

Corresponding Author:jakrinkewcharoen@gmail.com

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Narut Prasitlumku
University of California Riverside
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Ronpichai Chokesuwattanaskul
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
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Ruiyang Yi
University of Hawai'i at Manoa John A Burns School of Medicine
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Krit Jongnarangsin
University of Michigan
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Thomas Bunch
University of Utah School of Medicine
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Ravi Ranjan
The University of Utah School of Medicine
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Leenhapong Navaravong
University of Utah School of Medicine
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Abstract

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) suggest that ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) as an initial therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) to prevent arrhythmia recurrences. We performed an updated meta-analysis of RCTs, to include recent data from cryoballoon-based ablation, and to compare arrhythmia-free survival and adverse events between ablation and AAMs. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to December 2020. We included RCT comparing patients with pAF undergoing ablation or receiving AADs as an initial therapy. We combined data using the random-effects model to calculate hazards ratio (HR) for arrhythmia-free survival and odds ratio (OR) for adverse events. Results: Five studies from 2005-2020 involving 985 patients were included (495 patients and 490 patients underwent ablation and medication as initial therapy, respectively). Patients who underwent ablation had higher freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) during the 12-24 months follow-up period (pooled HR=0.48, 95% CI:0.40-0.59, p<0.001) (Figure 2). In a subgroup analysis of ablation method used, both cryoablation group (pooled HR=0.49, 95% CI:0.38-0.64, p<0.001) (Figure 2A) and radiofrequency ablation group (pooled HR=0.47, 95%CI:0.35-0.64, p<0.001) (Figure 2B) showed reduction in AT recurrence compared to AAD group. There were no differences in adverse events including cerebrovascular accident, pericardial effusion or tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, acute coronary syndrome, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and bradycardia requiring a pacemaker. Conclusion: Catheter ablation (both cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation) is superior to AAD as an initial therapy for pAF in efficacy for reducing AT recurrences without a compromise in adverse events.