Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: impact of maintaining sinus rhythm on heart failure status and long-term rates of stroke and death

Abstract

Long-term success rates for persistent (but not paroxysmal) AF ablation are significantly lower in HF patients. Left ventricular function and HF symptoms were improved following ablation. In HF patients, recurrent arrhythmia strongly predicted stroke and death during follow-up.