Title:The Short and Long-Term Efficacy of Pulmonary Vein Isolation as a Sole Treatment Strategy for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Zsuzsanna Kis, Taulant Muka, Oscar H. Franco, Wichor M. Bramer, Lennart J. De Vries, Attila Kardos and Tamas Szili-Torok*
Affiliation:Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Rotterdam, Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology, Rotterdam, Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology, Rotterdam, Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Biomedicine, Rotterdam, Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Rotterdam, Gottsegen György National Cardiology Institute, Department of Electrophysiology, Budapest, Department of Clinical Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam
Keywords:Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, pulmonary vein isolation, catheter ablation, efficacy of ablation, cerebrovascular
event, transient ischemic attack.
Abstract:Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an accepted treatment strategy for catheter
ablation (CA) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). In this study, we aimed to assess the short,
mid- and long-term outcome of PVI as a sole treatment strategy for PAF.
Methods: Six bibliographic electronic databases were searched to identify all published relevant
studies until December 14, 2015. Search of the scientific literature was performed for studies describing
outcomes with mean follow-up > 24 months after PAF ablation. Only articles with 1, 3 or
5-year follow up were included, from the same group of investigators.
Results: Of the 2398 references reviewed for eligibility, 13 articles (enrolling a total of 1774 patients)
were included in the final analysis. Pooled analysis showed that the 12- and 62 -month success
rate of a single CA procedure was 78% (95% CI 0.76% to 0.855) and 59% (95% CI 0.56% to
0.64%), respectively. The results did not differ by type of CA performed. Major complications
mentioned in the enrolled studies were cerebrovascular event, pericardial tamponade and PV stenosis.
Conclusion: There is a progressive and significant decline in freedom from AF between 1, 3 and 5-
year after successful PVI in patients with PAF. Our analysis suggests that a high short-time success
rate after PVI does not necessarily result in high chronic success rate.
