2.4 | Follow-up
All patients were discharged with an antiarrhythmic medication and an
oral anticoagulant. Antiarrhythmic medications were discontinued 3
months post-ablation if the patient remained free from atrial
tachyarrhythmia recurrence, while anticoagulant therapy was continued
based on individual thromboembolic risk. Follow-up assessments were
conducted at discharge, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure either
via telephone or in the outpatient clinic. A 7-day Holter recording was
performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Recurrence was defined
as any episode of atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting more than 30 seconds.
The primary outcome of the observation was freedom from AF/AFL/AT
recurrence with or without antiarrhythmic medications during follow-up
after a single ablation. Adverse events were also monitored before
discharge and throughout the follow-up period. Brain magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) was evaluated for the assessment of silent cerebral
lesions (SCLs). Subjects with documented SCLs will undergo prespecified
neurologic assessment before discharge.
Redo ablation procedures were initiated upon documentation of persisting
AF, AFL, or AT. During reablation, electroanatomical mapping was
performed to assess the durability of the lesions.