Procedure Characteristics:
Patients underwent pre-ablation contrast enhanced computed tomography or transesophageal echocardiography to rule out left atrial appendage clot. Oral anticoagulation was held on the morning of the procedure. General anesthesia with high frequency jet ventilation was used for radiofrequency ablation cases to enhance catheter stability; if this was not tolerated, the patient received conventional ventilation. Electroanatomical mapping was performed for all cases. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation. Additional focal or linear lesions were placed at the operator’s discretion if atrial tachyarrhythmias or AF remained inducible. Adenosine was used to assess for dormant PV conduction and isoproterenol to detect AF triggers according to physician preference. The patients were discharged on anti-arrhythmic medication, pantoprazole, and/or low dose colchicine according to physician preference, for a duration of 1 month. The colchicine dose was 0.6mg once daily, with dose reduction to 0.3mg once daily for patients treated with amiodarone or dronedarone 17.