Study selection
All articles that were obtained after the initial search, were screened
by two independent reviewers (I.A. and M.K.) based on title and
abstract. Subsequently, potentially eligible studies were further
reviewed for inclusion in the final analysis based on the full text. Any
disagreements were resolved after consensus with an expert (G.G.).
Eligibility criteria for inclusion were: a) prospective or retrospective
studies including patients with paroxysmal or/and persistent AF, b)
endocardial pulmonary venous isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency
catheter ablation (RFCA) or cryoballoon ablation, c) pre-procedural
quantification of LA-PLSsys, averaged in at least two segments, using
2DSTE d) a follow-up of at least 6 months for post-ablation AF
recurrence.