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).