Impact of elimination of DFAs on AF process
Although focal activation was observed in all patients, DFAs were
identified in 26 of the 35 (74.3%) patients. Elimination of DFAs was
achieved in 19 of 35 (54.3%) patients (elimination group), whereas the
remaining 16 patients had residual DFAs, including 9 patients without
DFAs (residual group). All DFAs in the PV antrum and the posterior
regions were eliminated. The rate of elimination of DFAs tended to be
lower in the LAA ostium than in other LA regions in two of the seven
points (28.6%) (Table 2). The elimination group had a significantly
higher success rate for the composite endpoint, including termination to
sinus rhythm, organization to AT, and slowing CL, when compared with the
residual group (13/19 [68.4%] vs. 4/16 [25.0%]; p = 0.018;
Fig. 7).