Bordignon, S;
Barra, S;
Providencia, R;
de Asmundis, C;
Marijon, E;
Farkowski, MM;
Anic, A;
... Boveda, S; + view all
(2022)
The blanking period after atrial fibrillation ablation: an European Heart Rhythm Association survey on contemporary definition and management.
EP Europace
, 24
(10)
pp. 1684-1690.
10.1093/europace/euac131.
Preview |
Text
Bebiano Da Providencia E Costa_Blanking period manuscript_R5 SB rev.pdf Download (767kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The use of a blanking period (BP) after an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure is a common practice, but recent data questions the benign nature of early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERATs). A physician-based survey was carried out by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) to investigate the current definition and applicability of BP and ERAT management. An online questionnaire was sent to clinical and interventional electrophysiologists. A total of 436 respondents (88% interventional electrophysiologists) reported observing ERATs in 25% (interquartile range 15-35) of patients, less commonly in paroxysmal AF (PAF) compared with persistent AF (persAF). The median reported duration of BP used by respondents was 90 days, with 22% preferring a shorter BP duration for PAF patients compared with persAF. Half of the patients with ERATs are expected to also experience late recurrences (LR). Isolated episodes of ERATs are treated conservatively by 99% of the respondents, but repeat ablation during the BP is preferred by 20% of electrophysiologists for multiple ERATs and by 16% in patients with organized atrial tachyarrhythmias. In conclusion, ERATs are commonly observed after AF ablation, particularly in persAF patients, and are perceived as predictors of LR by half of the respondents. A general adherence to a 90-day BP duration was observed. During this time period, ERAT is mainly treated conservatively, but repeat ablation during the BP is occasionally offered to patients with multiple ERATs and those with organized atrial tachyarrhythmias.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The blanking period after atrial fibrillation ablation: an European Heart Rhythm Association survey on contemporary definition and management |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1093/europace/euac131 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac131 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Ablation, Atrial fibrillation, Blanking period, EHRA survey, Recurrence, Atrial Fibrillation, Catheter Ablation, Cryosurgery, Humans, Pulmonary Veins, Recurrence, Surveys and Questionnaires, Treatment Outcome |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Health Informatics |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10160230 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
