Incidence and clinical predictors of subsequent atrial fibrillation requiring additional ablation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter

AbstractObjectives: We sought to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation for typical atrial flutter and to determine the predictors for symptomatic atrial fibrillation that required a further additional dedicated ablation procedure.Design: 127 patients underwent elective cavotricuspid isthmus ablation with the indication of symptomatic, typical atrial flutter. The occurrence of atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular events and the need for additional ablation procedures for symptomatic atrial fibrillation was assessed during long-term follow-up.Results: The majority of patients (70%) manifested atrial fibrillation during a follow-up period of 68 ± 24 months, and a significant proportion (42%) underwent one or multiple atrial fibrillation ablation procedures after an average of 26 months from the index procedure. Recurrence of typical atrial flutter was rare. Ten patients (8%) suffered cerebrovascular events. Earlier documentation of atrial fibrillation (OR 3....