Safety and long-term effectiveness of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation with a contact force-sensing catheter: real-world experience from a prospective, multicentre observational cohort registry

Abstract

Aims Real-time contact force (CF)-sensing radiofrequency ablation catheter for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) allows optimization of electrode–tissue contact, which correlates with long-term success. This prospective, multicentre observational registry assessed the real-world clinical effectiveness of a CF-sensing catheter for ablation of drug-refractory PAF. Methods and results Patients were followed-up at 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Outcome measures included isolation of targeted pulmonary veins (PVs) confirmed by entrance block (acute success), patient-reported freedom from symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) at 12 months (long-term effectiveness), Atrial Fibri..