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.