Adding six short lines on pulmonary vein isolation circumferences reduces recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Results from a multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a non-negligible long-term recurrence rate.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PVI combined with 6 short ablation lines on the PVI circumferences (PVI+6L group) yields higher success rates than PVI alone (PVI group).

Methods: In this multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial, a total of 390 patients with paroxysmal AF were randomly assigned to the PVI group (n = 193) or the PVI+6L group (n = 197). The primary endpoint was freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence between 91 and 365 days. Secondary endpoints included AF burden, procedural parameters, and complications.

Results: Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was achieved in 160 of 197 patients (81.2%) in the PVI+6L group and 142 of 193 patients (73.6%) in the PVI group (hazard ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.39-0.97; P = .040). Mean AF burden tended to be lower in the PVI+6L group compared to the PVI group (1.95% vs 0.53%, P = .097). Procedural and ablation times were slightly longer in the PVI+6L group than in the PVI group (130 ± 25 minutes vs 121 ± 28 minutes; P = .002; and 46 ± 14 minutes vs 41 ± 16 minutes, P = .001, respectively). X-ray exposure was similar (60 ± 54 seconds vs 61 ± 60 seconds; P = .964). Complications occurred in 3 patients (1.6%) in the PVI group and 3 patients (1.5%) in the PVI+6L group.

Conclusion: In patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing catheter ablation, adding 6 short ablation lines on the PVI circumferences could reduce the AF recurrence rate.