Importance of nonpulmonary vein foci in catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is an established treatment strategy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, the recurrence rate of PAP is 8% to 37%, despite repeated procedures, and the catheter ablation strategy for PAF with non-PV foci is unclear. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the PAF ablation strategy for non-PV foci. METHODS The study included 304 consecutive patients undergoing PAF ablation (209 males, age 63.0 +/- 10.4 years) divided into 3 groups: group 1 (245 patients) with no inducible non-PV foci; group 2 (34 patients) with atrial fibrillation (AF) originating from non-PV foci and all the foci successfully ablated; and group 3 (25 patients) with AF originating from non-PV triggers, but without all foci being ablated or with persistently inducible AF. RESULTS Mean follow-up period was 26.9 +/- 11.8 months, and AF recurrence rates since the last procedure were 9.8%, 8.8%, and 68.0% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate between groups 1 and 2 (P = .89); however, there were statistically significant differences between groups 3 and 1 (P < .0001) and groups 3 and 2 (P < .0001). The patients in group 2 had an AF-free outcome to equivalent to those who had PV foci in group 1 (P = .83). CONCLUSION Success rates can be improved for PAF ablation if non-PV foci are detected and eliminated.