Periprocedural imaging and outcomes after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an increasingly safe and effective therapy. This has been partly attributed to the use of adjunctive imaging modalities. We aimed to describe the use and associated outcomes of periprocedural imaging for AF ablation.

Methods

We studied all Medicare fee-for-service claims for AF ablation from July 2007 to December 2009, and identified associated imaging studies before and during ablation, including transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), CT and MRI. The primary outcomes were death, stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), repeat ablation, and bleeding (pericardial or vascular) at 6 months.

Results

11 525 patients underwent AF ablation during the study period. The

SUBMITTER: Steinberg BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4229444 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature