Evaluation of atrial fibrillation burden before catheter ablation predicts outcome after pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is defined as recurrent AF terminating spontaneously within 7 days. This definition allows the consideration of any AF occurrence lasting 30 sec. Results: Symptomatic AFB was found to be appropriate for prediction of outcome after PVI. The freedom from AF within 2 years was observed in 69%, 31%, and 43% patients in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (Group 1 vs. Group 2, p <.001; Group 1 vs. Group 3, p< .001; Group 2 vs. Group 3, p = 0.46). Conclusions: Low AFB < 500 h /3 months was associated with better outcome after PVI. Patients with PAF and high AFB should be treated as patients with PersAF.