Results from a single-blind, randomized study comparing the impact of different ablation approaches on long-term procedure outcome in coexistent atrial fibrillation and flutter (approval)

BACKGROUND-: This study examined the impact of different ablation strategies on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and quality of life in coexistent AF and atrial flutter (AFL). METHODS AND RESULTS-: Three-hundred sixty enrolled patients with documented AF and AFL were blinded and randomized to group 1, AF±AFL ablation (n=182), or group 2, AFL ablation only (n=178). AF recurrence was evaluated with event recording and 7-day Holter at 3, 6, 9, and 12-month follow-ups. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up with 4 questionnaires: the Medical Outcome Study Short Form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Of the 182 patients in group 1, 58 (age, 63±8 years; 78% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 59±8%) had AF+AFL ablation and 124 (age, 61±11 years; 72% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 59±7%) had AF ablation only. In group 2 (age, 62±9 years; 76% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 58±10%), only AFL was ablated by achieving bidirectional isthmus conduction block. Baseline characteristics were not different across groups. At 21±9 months of follow-up, 117 in group 1 (64%) and 34 in group 2 (19%) were arrhythmia free (P