Refined RF-Based Ablation Techniques Show High Success Rates for Treating AFib

RF-based ablation is the most common treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib) — an irregular and usually fast heartbeat. This procedure is safe and effective, but clinicians have refined RF-based ablation to improve its safety and efficacy. Despite its widespread use, few studies have investigated how modifications and advances in RF ablation techniques have influenced its performance. 

A recent study, which appears in the journal Heart Rhythm, examined RF-ablation success across multiple high-volume sites in the United States. The researchers find that one year after RF-based ablation, 81.6% of patients were free from AFib. These rates are higher than those attained in clinical trials, showing that the modifications have indeed improved safety and performance. 

AFib is one of the most common forms of arrhythmia and it increases blood flow , palpitations , breathlessness and chest pain and other issues. Some doctors say that Atrial fibrillation, while not considered life-threatening, is a serious health condition that increases a patient’s lifetime risk of stroke and congestive heart failure. It often requires life-long monitoring and treatment. 

RF-based ablation is a common tool for treating AFib. It uses heat to destroy sections of heart tissue that cause the condition. The technique has been used for many years, most commonly to treat problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Earlier randomized, controlled clinical trials demonstrated that the first versions of RF-based ablation had good safety profiles and were effective. 

However, clinicians have slowly refined procedure techniques over time, so it is not clear how effective these newer techniques perform in the real world. Additionally, few real-world studies have investigated the procedure outside of the early clinical trials. 

Researchers felt that if a collection of experienced electrophysiologists in real-world practice could come together and collect data to evaluate detailed procedural practices, including innovations that group members implemented in their standard practices, this would be a way to generate real-world evidence that could improve procedural outcomes. 

The scientists analyzed data from 2,470 AFib patients who had been treated using RF-based ablation to create the REAL-AF registry.All participants had paroxysmal AFiib, a form of AFib where symptoms come and go over time. The researchers particularly focused on the techniques used and how long the procedure took. 

They assessed patient outcomes immediately following the procedure and one year late.Data from the REAL-AF registry showed that the RF-based ablation procedures were more efficient, effective, and safer than data from randomized clinical trials suggests. One year after the procedures, 81.6% of participants were free from all-atrial arrhythmia, and 85.7% had no atrial arrhythmia. 

Importantly, the vast majority which is 93.2 percent had no arrhythmia symptoms in the 12 months following the procedure. 

The scientists also found that the average procedure time was significantly shorter. This means that patients need to spend less time under anesthesia, which is safer and frees up clinicians’ time to conduct more procedures. The authors conclude that refinement of RF-based ablation to treat paroxysmal AFib resulted in excellent short and long-term clinical outcomes.