Comparison Between One-stage Hybrid Ablation and Thoracoscopic Surgical Ablation for Intractable Atrial Fibrillation

Comparison Between One-stage Hybrid Ablation and Thoracoscopic Surgical Ablation for Intractable Atrial Fibrillation

Previous evidence indicated that the outcomes of both video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were unsatisfied. Recently, hybrid ablation therapy for AF had encouraging outcomes. However, there were no randomized, controlled clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of this new strategy. This study is aimed to compare the outcomes of hybrid ablation with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation for persistent AF with enlarged left atrium.

This study is aimed to compare the outcomes of hybrid ablation with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation for persistent AF with enlarged left atrium.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with at least one anti-arrhythmic drugs
• Persistent AF lasting more than 1 year or with a left atrial diameter>50mm

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous percutaneous catheter ablation or surgical ablation
• Presence of significant structural heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, untreated coronary artery disease)
• Left atrial diameter>60mm
• Previous thoracic or lung operation
• Left atrial thrombosis or left atrial appendage thrombosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/Forced vital capacity (FVC)<70%、FEV1<50% anticipated value)
• Bilateral carotid artery stenosis>80%
• Refuse to participate in this study