Thoracoscopic surgical ablation versus catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Kevin Phan, Steven Phan, Aravinda Thiagalingam, Caroline Medi, Tristan D. Yan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are refractory to anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation (SA) and catheter ablation (CA) are potential alternative treatment options. The recent FAST randomized study suggested that thoracoscopic SA was superior to CA in achieving freedom of AF in patients who have failed at least one prior AAD. To assess the relative merits and risks of SA versus CA, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Electronic searches were performed using six databases from their inception to December 2014. Relevant studies comparing thoracoscopic SA and CA were identified; data were extracted and analysed according to predefined clinical endpoints. Relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference were used as summary statistics. Freedom from AF/arrhythmias was significantly higher in SA versus CA at 12-month off-AAD (78.4 vs 53%; RR, 1.54; P < 0.0001) and on-AAD (82.6 vs 45.7%; RR, 1.85; P < 0.00001). This difference was maintained in paroxysmal and persistent AF subgroups. The SA cohort had a significantly lower requirement for repeat ablations compared with the CA cohort (4.7 vs 24.4%; RR, 0.21; P = 0.0001). However, major complications were significantly higher in the SA group (28.2 vs 7.8%; RR, 3.30; P = 0.0003), driven by pleural effusion and pneumothorax. SA may be more efficacious than CA treatment in a selected patient population with refractory AF and prior failed catheter intervention. Improved freedom from arrhythmias at up to 12-month follow-up is counterbalanced by higher procedural complication rates.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberezv180
Pages (from-to)1044-1051
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery
Volume49
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thoracoscopic surgical ablation versus catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this