Isolating the entire pulmonary venous component versus isolating the pulmonary veins for persistent atrial fibrillation: A propensity‐matched analysis

Background The outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are suboptimal. The entire pulmonary venous component (PV‐Comp), consisting of the pulmonary veins, their antra, and the area between the antra, provides triggers and substrate for AF. PV‐Comp isolation is an alternative strategy for persistent AF ablation. Methods Among 328 patients with persistent AF who underwent a first radiofrequency ablation procedure, 200 patients (PVI, n = 100; PV‐Comp isolation, n = 100) were selected by propensity score matching. Both groups were followed up for 1 year. Results At 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF/atrial tachycardia) recurred in 41 and 61 patients in PVI group and 22 (P = .006) and 33 patients (P