Post-procedure follow-up
During the first three months after surgical ablation (blanking period),
administration of anti-arrhythmic drugs was allowed based on the
discretion of the treating physician. The drugs were discontinued at the
three-month follow-up if no documented recurrence of ATAs was observed.
Patients were followed up in the outpatient clinics every month for the
first three months, and every three months thereafter. Twelve- lead ECG
and physical examination were performed on each visit. All patients
underwent ambulatory 24-hour Holter monitoring one, three, six, and 12
months after discharge. If patients complained of symptoms suggestive of
AF, they received additional 24-hour Holter monitoring. ERAT was defined
as any recurrence of ATAs within the first three months after surgical
ablation. Late recurrence (LR) was defined as an ATA that lasted for at
least 30 seconds (s) and occurred up to 12 months after the blanking
period. The timing of the last ERAT within the first three months
blanking period was recorded as a continuous variable and categorized
according to whether it occurred in the first, second, or third month.