Substrate Modification With Ablation and Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Non-Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Substrate Modification With Ablation and Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Non-Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
The investigators hypothesise that modification of the Atrial Fibrillation (AF) substrate by radiofrequency ablation would improve single procedure success rates for Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) for Non-paroxysmal AF when compared to that achieved with short-term peri-procedural anti-arrhythmic drug therapy alone.
Inclusion Criteria:
Ongoing symptoms (European Heart Rhythm Association Class 2 or above) in spite of treatment with rate control medication
Non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, as pre-classified as
Persistent AF: AF requiring Electrical/ Chemical cardioversion or that lasting >7 days. These patients may be in AF or in sinus Rhythm at the time of their initial assessment and/ or at the time of their ablation.
Continuous Persistent AF: These patients are persistently in AF with or without antiarrhythmic drug therapy, as confirmed on a 24 hour Holter. They may have undergone previous cardioversion(s).
Sustained Paroxysmal AF with underlying substrate: Patients with Individual AF episode(s) lasting >12 hours but less than 7 days plus one or more of the following:
Exclusion Criteria: