Catheter ablation success rates have improved over time based on a better understanding of atrial fibrillation, new techniques and technology, and greater doctor experience. In early studies, the majority of centers reported single procedure success rates of 60% or more for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 30% or less for persistent atrial fibrillation. For multiple procedures, the majority reported success rates of 70% or more for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 50% or more for persistent atrial fibrillation. 1 Outcomes varied based on differences in technique, experience, skill, and follow-up.
In 2005, the first worldwide multicenter survey on catheter ablation was published using data from 181 centers from 1995–2002. It indicated that 52% of patients having an atrial fibrillation catheter ablation were successful and symptom-free without antiarrhythmic drugs. An additional 23.9% were successful but were on antiarrhythmic drugs. For many, those drugs did not work prior to the ablation. Achieving this success required a second procedure for 24.3%, and a third procedure for 3.1%. Success rates were highest in high-volume centers.2
The second worldwide multicenter survey, on catheter ablations performed from 2003–2006, was subsequently published and showed an improvement in treatment success. The success rate was 70% without antiarrhythmic drugs vs. 52% in the first survey. The overall success rate, which included patients who continued to take antiarrhythmic drugs, was 80% in the second survey vs. 75.5% in the first. That means that only 10% of patients in the second survey had to remain on antiarrhythmic drugs vs. 23.9% in the first survey. More than one ablation procedure was needed to achieve these success rates, but the second survey did not indicate what percentage of patients had second and third procedures. When broken down by type of afib, the success rate without antiarrhythmic drugs was 75% for paroxysmal afib, 65% for persistent afib, and 63% for longstanding persistent afib.3
The second worldwide survey showed that doctors were starting to treat more patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation. In the first survey, only 53% of centers performed catheter ablation on patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, whereas in the second, 86% of centers treated persistent afib. Similarly, only 20% of centers in the first survey treated patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation, which increased to 47% of centers in the second worldwide survey.
Since the second worldwide survey used data on procedures only up until 2006, safety and efficacy should be expected to be higher today using current procedures and experience rates, particularly in high-volume centers. Some centers today cite success rates of 80%–85% for first ablations and 95% for second ablations, but there are variances in how different centers measure success.
It is also important to understand that ablation success rates can vary by individual. For example, the type of afib (longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation), the presence of structural heart disease in addition to having afib, and the presence of risk factors such as obesity and sleep apnea have all been associated with the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation procedures.1
Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference
Featuring World-Renowned Afib Experts
Get ReplaysMellanie True Hills
Founder & CEO, StopAfib.org
The HRS Expert Consensus Statement set guidelines for catheter ablation trials. Immediately after the procedure, there is a three-month “blanking period” during which time atrial fibrillation episodes can occur due to the inflammation that the body produces in response to the procedure. Any afib activity during that blanking period is not counted in a study’s results.
After the blanking period, the HRS Expert Consensus Statement defines success as “freedom from afib, atrial flutter or tachycardia” greater than 30 seconds and discontinuation of antiarrhythmic medication as the gold standard for reporting the success rates of afib ablation. The HRS Expert Consensus Statement also states that all ablation trials should report the success rates following a single ablation procedure without using antiarrhythmic medications, using a minimum of 12 months follow-up.1
The HRS Expert Consensus Statement also provides recommendations for the minimum follow-up screening that should be used in clinical trials to detect afib recurrences, according to the type of atrial fibrillation. The recommended minimum follow-up screening for afib recurrence in patients with paroxysmal afib includes a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at each visit, a 24-hour Holter monitor test at the end of follow-up, and event recording with an event monitor regularly and when symptoms occur from the end of the blanking period to the end of follow-up. For patients with persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation, the recommended minimum follow-up screening includes a 12-lead ECG at each follow-up visit, 24-hour Holter every 6 months, and symptom-driven event monitoring.1
Not all doctors involved in clinical studies follow the HRS Expert Consensus Statement guidelines, so when looking at treatment success rates, it’s important to look at these three factors:
While clinical success is defined above, only you can decide what defines treatment success for you. Success may mean freedom from atrial fibrillation and the ability to stop antiarrhythmic medication after one catheter ablation for some people. Still, for others, alleviating symptoms, even though they have to remain on antiarrhythmic drugs, may mean success.
If you’re considering a procedure, you may want to ask about the catheter ablation success rate for afib (not other cardiac arrhythmias) for the specific electrophysiologist and for the center in which it would be done. Also, ask about how they define success, such as with or without antiarrhythmic drugs and the number of procedures, and determine how they measure success and at what intervals. It also wouldn’t hurt to ask for their success and complication rates for the specific technology and tools that would be used on you.
If you’re considering catheter ablation, you need to know about Catheter Ablation Risks.
StopAfib.org was created for patients by patients to provide accurate information and genuine support for those affected by atrial fibrillation. Explore our online community and connect with other patients, families, and caregivers.
