Antiarrhythmic drug therapy after atrial fibrillation ablation: data of the ESC-EHRA registry

Aim. Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective approach for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (AF), however antiarrhythmic therapy (AAT) remains important. There is a lack of data about long-term AAT use after CA. This study evaluates AAT after CA for AF.

Material and methods. In 2012-2016, EURObservational Research Programme of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term (EORP AFA L-T) registry was conducted, which included 476 Russian patients (57,1% — men; mean age — 57,1±8,7 years). The follow-up after CA was 12 months (available in 81,9% of patients). The use of AAT was evaluated prior to hospitalization, during hospitalization for CA, as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up.

Results. Prior to CA, 439 (92,2%) patients received AAT During CA, 459 (96,4%) patients were treated with AAT. After CA, AAT was used by 463 (97,3%), 370 (94,8%), and 307 (78,7%) patients at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. There was no arrhythmia recurrence in 187 (47,9%) subjects. Among these patients, 40 (21,4%) received class IC or III AAT. The peak of AAT use was found for class IC agents within 3 months after CA (P<0,05), while for other drugs this trend was not observed. There were no factors associated with AAT usage in patients without arrhythmia recurrence after CA. A positive correlation of arrhythmia non-recurrence with a minimum number of previously used antiarrhythmic agents was revealed (RR=0,85; 95% CI 0,73-0,98; P=0,03).

Conclusion. The frequency of AAT use after AF ablation is significantly reduced. However, there is a cohort of patients without documented arrhythmia recurrence still receiving AAT, which requires special attention of physicians. There were no clinical predictors of continued AAT in subjects without arrhythmia recurrence.

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