Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (Miller Family) Outcomes
Arrhythmia
Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Volume
2018 – 2022, N = 6125
Atrial fibrillation ablation, also called pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI), is a treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. The procedure essentially disconnects the pathway an abnormal heart rhythm follows through the heart and prevents atrial fibrillation. Cleveland Clinic performs a large number of atrial fibrillation ablations every year.
Source: EP Database
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Success Rates
Success of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is defined as a restored sinus rhythm without recurrence of AF after the patient has stopped taking antiarrhythmic medications for at least 12 months after the procedure. This is influenced by a number of factors, including the length of time the patient has been in AF and the presence or absence of underlying heart disease. In a recent study¹ of 831 patients who underwent AF ablation at Cleveland Clinic, 81% of patients with paroxysmal AF were arrhythmia-free while off antiarrhythmic drugs at 12 months postablation.
¹Hussein AA, Saliba WI, Martin DO, Bhargava M, Sherman M, Magnelli-Reyes C, Chamsi-Pasha M, John S, Williams-Adrews M, Baranowski B, Dresing T, Callahan T, Kanj M, Tchou P, Lindsay BD, Natale A, Wazni O. Natural history and long-term outcomes of ablated atrial fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2011 Jun;4(3):271-278.
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Major Complications
2018 – 2022, N = 6125
The overall riskᵃ of major complications associated with atrial fibrillation ablation at Cleveland Clinic from 2018 to 2022 was 1.81%, which is lower than the benchmark rate of 2.5%.²
| N | Percent | Benchmark Rate (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Complications | 111 | 1.81 | 2.5 |
Source: EP Database
ᵃThe percentage of overall risk was calculated by dividing the total number of major complications (N = 111) by the total number of atrial fibrillation ablation procedures (N = 6125).
²Initial findings from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Procedures. Hsu JC, Darden D, Du C, Marine JE, Nichols S, Marcus GM, Natale A, Noseworthy PA, Selzman KA, Varosy P, Masoudi F, Freeman J, Curtis J, Akar J, Kowey PR. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Mar 7;81(9):867-878. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.11.060.
