To Örebro University

Objectives: Total endoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation is an alternative to catheter ablation, but its clinical role needs further evaluation. The aim of this study was to compare total endoscopic ablation with rate control in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation and to examine the effect of endoscopic ablation on heart rhythm, symptoms, physical working capacity and myocardial function during 1 year of follow-up.

Methods: In a prospective controlled study, 36 patients aged >50 years with symptomatic long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation were randomized to either total endoscopic ablation (n = 17, after two drop-outs before ablation n = 15) or rate control therapy (n = 19). In the ablation group, a box lesion encircling the pulmonary veins was performed, using temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy. Loop recorders were implanted in all patients. Echocardiography and quality-of-life assessment were performed at 6 and 12 months, and physical working capacity assessment at 6 months.

Results: There was no mortality or thromboembolic event. In the control group, all patients were in permanent atrial fibrillation during 12 months of follow-up. In the ablation group, the proportion of patients in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs was 12/15 (80%) at 12 months. The median freedom of atrial fibrillation at 3-12 months was 95% in the ablation group and the proportion of patients with an atrial fibrillation burden of <5% at 3-12 months was 8/15 (53%). The left ventricular ejection fraction increased during follow-up in the ablation group compared with the control group (from 53.7 ± 8.6 to 58.8 ± 6.5%, P = 0.003), combined with a reduction in the left atrial area (from 29.2 ± 5.5 to 27.2 ± 6.3 cm(2), P = 0.002). The physical working capacity increased in the ablation group compared with the control group (from 94 ± 21.4 to 102.9 ± 14.4%, P = 0.011). The subjective physical and mental capacity scale also improved during follow-up in the ablation group, but not in the control group (P =0.003 and 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions: Total endoscopic ablation in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation significantly reduced atrial fibrillation burden 12 months after intervention compared with controls. The left ventricular function, physical working capacity and subjective physical and mental health were improved. These results need to be confirmed in larger randomized trials.