Single-ring posterior left atrial (box) isolation results in a different mode of recurrence compared with wide antral pulmonary vein isolation on long-term follow-up: longer atrial fibrillation-free survival time but similar survival time free of any atrial arrhythmia.

Background: Electric isolation of the pulmonary veins and posterior left atrium with a single ring of radiofrequency lesions (single-ring isolation [SRI]) may result in fewer atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences than wide antral pulmonary vein isolation (wide antral isolation [WAI]) by abolishing extravenous AF triggers. The effect of mitral isthmus line (MIL) ablation on outcomes after SRI has not previously been assessed.

Methods And Results: We randomly assigned 220 consecutive patients (58 ± 10 years old; 82% men) with highly symptomatic AF (61% paroxysmal, 39% persistent/longstanding persistent) to undergo either SRI or WAI.

Atrial arrhythmias after single-ring isolation of the posterior left atrium and pulmonary veins for atrial fibrillation: mechanisms and management.

Background: Single-ring isolation of the posterior left atrium is feasible, but the incidence and mechanisms of postprocedural arrhythmias have not been described in detail.

Methods And Results: The first 100 consecutive patients (58.8+/-11.

Efficacy and late recurrences with wide electrical pulmonary vein isolation for persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Early recurrences of atrial arrhythmia after wide electrically isolating ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are well described, but the long-term risk of recurrence for patients with persistent and permanent AF has not been studied in detail. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-six consecutive patients [45 men (80.4%), age 55.