Indications For AF Ablation: Before Or After The Failure Of Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy?

Citation: Akira Kimata, MD, Yoko Ito, MD, Kentaro Yoshida, MD

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered to be better than anti-arrhythmic drug therapy in terms of maintaining sinus rhythm, and therefore, it has rapidly evolved to become a commonly performed procedure in major hospitals throughout the world. However, on the basis of the evidence currently available, we support the current guidelines recommending antiarrhythmic drugs as a first-line treatment in most patients with AF except younger patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF with no evidence of structural heart disease, given the risk of fatal complications associated with the ablation procedure. We would like to emphasize that center volume and individual procedure experience are significant determinants of procedure-related complications. As another effect of AF ablation, preventing atrial remodeling and progression to persistent AF is also noteworthy. Further long-term data is needed to answer the question of whether ablation can prevent or delay the advance of structural remodeling and improve life prognosis, particularly in younger patients.