Delayed cure despite early recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation

Radiofrequency ablation of focal ectopic activity from a pulmonary vein (PV) can prevent atrial fibrillation (AF), with reported cure rates of 70% to 80% in patients with paroxysmal AF and structurally normal hearts. Increasingly, the procedure is being expanded to patients with persistent AF and with underlying electric or structural atrial abnormalities; the recurrence of AF in these patients is higher. At our institution, certain patients have been cured of AF despite an early recurrence after the focal ablation procedure. This report observes the incidence and characteristics of a delayed cure of AF after PV isolation procedures.