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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is a major cardiovascular challenge due to its close association with increased morbidity and mortality. Although the incidence and prevalence of AF is slightly lower in developing countries than in developed countries, the AF-associated risk of stroke is similar. Treatment of AF is far from satisfactory in developing countries, which may be due to limited health-care resources and social and racial characteristics that differ from Western populations. Chronic rate control is still the main treatment strategy of persistent AF because anti-arrhythmic drugs have only a modest long-term effect on maintenance of sinus rhythm, and no superior impact in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. With the development of ablation techniques and strategies, more AF patients received catheter ablation, although the benefit, complications, and high recurrence rate associated with AF ablation remain under investigation. Improvement in antithrombotic therapy of AF has been observed, although still fewer patients receive oral anticoagulants in developing countries than in Western countries. Novel treatment for the prevention of thromboembolism, such as new oral anticoagulants with different mechanisms of action or the percutaneous transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage, has recently been introduced in developing countries as an alternative option for the prevention of AF-associated strokes. More data are needed regarding upstream therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catheter ablation is widely used to treat drug-refractory, symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). However, beyond pulmonary vein isolation, there remains little consensus on the recommended approach to ablation both in paroxysmal or persistent AF patients. Although ancillary ablation strategies are often used, the lack of a clear endpoint for AF ablation makes it challenging to evaluate their importance. Noninducibility and termination of AF during AF ablation have been advocated as potential endpoints. Several studies have attempted to assess their role in an AF ablation protocol. However, the data for non-inducibility and termination as endpoints are mixed. Moreover, there are a number of limitations in the studies reported and limitations of the endpoints themselves. It is likely that non-inducibility or termination of AF during AF ablation may be markers of less structural remodeling rather than true endpoints for ablation. Herein, we review the relevant literature on the topic of inducibility and termination with respect to AF ablation and attempt to draw conclusions with guidance to further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocardial catheter ablation is a widely used alternative for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite technical improvements, and increased understanding of mechanism, and acquired technical experience over many years, the results are not yet optimal. This results in an ongoing search for new therapeutic approaches. Because cardiac sympathetic drive is potentially responsible for triggering and sustaining AF, modulation of sympathetic tone has been proposed as a viable treatment objective. The early attempts to test this concept were limited by nature=highly intrusive techniques but new approaches and targets have been recently introduced. Specifically, renal nerve ablation has been introduced and the first attempts to employ this technique for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias give as a promise of new therapeutic avenues in near future. This review focuses on the possible role of renal denervation in treatment of atrial fibrillation, the contemporary evidence supporting this approach, and the ongoing trials to establish its therapeutic role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation has evolved from being a novel unproven procedure to being an important treatment option for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation ablation is an appropriate treatment option for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation, particularly if they have failed one or more trials of antiarrhythmic drug therapy. While much has been learned about the optimal technique and outcomes for catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with long standing persistent atrial fibrillation remains in its infancy. The following objectives would be accomplished in this review article. First, we will review the various ablation strategies, which have been employed and proposed for ablation of long standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Second, the methodology, results and outcomes of the major studies were reviewed in detail, which have reported outcomes of ablation in this patient population. And finally, some conclusions were drawn regarding where we stand and where the knowledge gaps remain as we seek to improve ablation outcomes in this population of AF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a widely-accepted treatment for this arrhythmia. Ablation is traditionally reserved for second-line therapy in patients who have failed drug therapy, but it may be ready for first-line treatment. Objective: This article outlines the rationale for using ablation as first-line therapy for AF. Findings: AF increases both morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, drug-based therapy for AF is very ineffective and may contribute adversely to both patient morbidity and mortality. Ablation addresses the root causes of AF and thus may be curative. The technique for ablation has become quite consistent and the outcomes better than those with drug therapy. The complication risk is also acceptably low. There is even preliminary evidence to suggest that AF ablation is superior as first-line treatment compared to drugs. Conclusion: AF ablation is rapidly evolving towards becoming first-line therapy for some patients with this debilitating arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To identify and characterise pre-procedural and procedural parameters which predict maintenance of sinus rhythm after a first circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: 100 patients (54±10 yrs) undergoing CARTO-guided CPVI for symptomatic drug refractory, paroxysmal or shortstanding persistent AF were studied. The endpoint was complete electrical isolation within the encircled regions. 3D left atrial (LA) volume was measured by CARTO geometry. Follow-up examinations (symptoms, ECG, 24-hour ECG recording) were performed at 1 and 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. Results: After the first CPVI, 71 patients (71%) were free of AF without antiarrhythmic drug therapy (follow up:28±11 months). The only independent and significant predictors for freedom of AF after the first CPVI were duration of AF history and 3D LA volume (p<0.05). However, a significant overlap in durations of AF history and 3D LA volumes between failures and successes was observed. Conclusions: (1) Using the "circumferential pulmonary vein isolation" approach, the first catheter ablation leads to resolution of arrhythmia in ≈ 70% of symptomatic AF patients. (2) Independent predictors for freedom of AF after initial CPVI are duration of AF history and 3D LA volume. (3) Due to considerable overlap between failures and successes, these parameters can not be used to identify patients who should not undergo CPVI or in whom an additional ablation beyond CPVI is required. On the other hand, our results do suggest that an ablation strategy early in the course of AF disease can influence successful outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]