Follow up
Oral anticoagulation was resumed on the evening after the surgical
procedure and was not discontinued during the endocardial procedure.
At discharge, patients received an ECG recorder (PM 100 Eumaco or Cardio
B Gima) and were instructed to obtain a 30-s ECG once a day and a
further ECG record in case of symptomatic palpitations. Information from
internal loop recorders was available in 6 patients.
The follow-up visits were scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months in our center.
Visits consist of 12-lead ECG, 24-hour Holter, transthoracic
echocardiography and physical examination. Oral anticoagulants were
discontinued according to the
CHA2DS2-VASc score after a minimum of 3
months. Antiarrhythmic therapy was reassessed at first follow up visit,
and discontinued within 6 months of ablation in the absence of AF
recurrences.
Functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and quality of life
was assessed before surgery and at last follow-up (1-year) by
administration the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) for quantitative
analysis (www.euroqol.org).