Efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation in athletes with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Aims: : Endurance sports activities have been associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by means of radiofrequency catheter ablation has been established as an effective treatment for AF. The aim of the present study was to analyse the efficacy of AF ablation in athletes. Methods and results: : We compared procedural outcome and median term follow-up in 94 consecutive athletes (>3 h of sports/week for <10 years or <1500 h lifetime) who underwent PVI (94 men, 51 ± 8 years, 87 paroxysmal AF, left atrial (LA) diameter 40 ± 8 mm, mean follow-up 41 months), and 41 contemporary controls. Sixty-three per cent of athletes performed endurance sports (..