Results of complex left atrial ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify variables associated with successful long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) after a single ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Complex left atrial (LA) ablation was performed in 100 patients. Restoration of SR by ablation was the desired procedure endpoint. RESULTS: SR was restored by ablation in 38 patients during the first procedure. Following one ablation, 50 patients remained in SR for 31 +/- 14 months. SR maintenance was associated with shorter duration of the persistent AF (median 14 vs. 22 months; P = 0.05), lower proportion of the LA points exhibiting voltage <0.2 mV (median 20% vs. 33%; P = 0.006), and higher proportion of LA points showing voltage >1 mV (median 15% vs. 11%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Among clinical variables, shorter duration of persistent AF and higher voltage recorded around the LA predicted long-term maintenance of SR after single ablation.