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.