Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Over Long‐Term Follow‐Up After Index Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation

This observational single-center evaluation included 2905 consecutive AF first-time catheter ablation patients between 2008 and 2022 (age 62.9 ± 10.5 years; female 30.5%; persistent 43.6%, long-standing persistent 6.9%; mostly radiofrequency, cryoballoon 18.0%; follow-up 6.1 ± 4.4 years). A multivariable model developed in 70% data set predicted late (> 3 months) AF/flutter recurrences in remaining 30%. Predictors included recurrence during blanking period (HR 2.42, 95% CI 2.13-2.74), female sex (1.39, 1.22-1.59), each cm increase in LA size (1.34, 1.21-1.49), maximum regional LA fibrosis moderate (1.46, 1.25-1.71) or severe (1.42, 1.14-1.78), every year of AF duration (1.02, 1.00-1.03), and persistent (1.19, 1.03-1.37) or long-standing persistent AF (1.40, 1.10-1.78).