Patients Characteristics and Follow up:
Data was collected by reviewing clinical notes, hospital admissions,
clinic visits, ablation procedure details, phone calls, and emergency
department/hospital visits. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities,
medications, and echocardiographic parameters were determined through
chart review. Follow ups were obtained for at least 6 months with mean
of 34 months.Long-term AF recurrence (> 30 seconds) after a
3-month blanking period was documented clinically by ECGs during
emergency department visits, clinic visits, and hospital admissions, or
by cardiac monitoring devices including pacemakers, loop recorders,
Mobile Cardiac Telemetry and Holter monitors. Clinic visits were usually
scheduled at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post procedure and in-office or
remote device follow-up every 1-3 months.