2.5 Follow-up
After the ablation, no antiarrhythmic medications were prescribed. The
patients underwent continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring for
approximately 3 days (until discharge) after the ablation. They came to
our cardiology clinic 1 month after the ablation. Subsequent follow-ups
were performed every 3 months at the clinic. The follow-up visits
included a clinical interview, ECG, blood examination, 24 hour Holter
monitoring or portable ECG (2 week cardiac event recording), and
echocardiography. Patients with palpitations or other chest symptoms
underwent a portable ECG. Recurrence after the ablation was defined as
AF/AT documented on the ECG or AF/AT continuing longer than 30 seconds
on the Holter or portable ECG. AF/AT during the first 3 months after the
ablation (blanking period) was considered as an ERAF and AF/AT of more
than 3 months after the ablation was considered as an LRAF.