Statistical analysis
Continuous data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation or median
(interquartile range). Categorical data are presented as absolute values
and percentages. Tests for significance were conducted using the
unpaired t -test, repeated measures analysis of variance, or a
nonparametric test (Mann-Whiney U -test) for continuous variables
and the chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical
variables. AF/AT recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier
method. Survival curves between the groups were compared using the
2-sided Mantel-Haenszel (log-rank) test. A p-value < 0.05 was
considered statistically significant. Clinical factors associated with
AF recurrence were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox
proportional hazards models. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.05 in the
univariate models were included in the multivariate analysis. The
analyses were exploratory and no adjustments were made. All analyses
were performed using commercial software (SPSS version
25.0®, SPSS, Inc., Chicago IL, USA).