Results of a survey concerning atrial fibrillation ablation strategies in Poland

BACKGROUND Catheter ablation is an effective treatmentfor patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite the increasing availability of the procedure, current treatment patterns of invasive AF treatment in Poland are unknown. AIMS The aim of the study was to assess data on the contemporary approaches to AF ablation in Poland, such as: target population, patients' characteristics, ablation techniques, procedural results, and complication rates. METHODS The survey including 36 questions was conducted among 38 representatives of Polish electrophysiology centers performing AF catheter ablation to test the methods and outcomes in their laboratories. RESULTS The survey was conducted among 38 out of 69 Polish electrophysiology centers performing AF ablation. There were 88 ablation laboratories in 2018 in Poland. They have performed 16 566 ablations, of which 6680 were AF ablations, according to the Polish National Health Fund data. Therefore, 3745 AF ablations analyzed in this study constituted 22.6% of all ablations and 56% of AF ablations performed in Poland in 2018. Paroxysmal AF was the most common type of AF in all surveyed centers. In 69% of the centers, the preferred method was cryoballoon ablation and in 31%, radiofrequency point-by-point circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. The reported complication rate was low (6.4%), with local adverse events being the most frequent. The mean reported incidence of atrial flutter or tachycardia after ablation was low (5%). Repeated procedures were performed mainly with radiofrequency ablation (89%). Procedural techniques and the type of venous access did not vary between the centers. CONCLUSIONS Paroxysmal AF was the most common indication for percutaneous ablation of that arrhythmia in Polish electrophysiology laboratories. The preferred method was cryoballoon ablation.