Follow-up
Antiarrythmic medications were continued based on medical criteria. We considered a blanking period of 3 months after the ablation procedure during which the arrhythmia recurrences were not judged as ablation failure. All patients underwent ambulatory medical control visits after 6 and after 12 months of the ablation procedure. At each time, a 12-lead ECG and 24-hour holter ECG were recorded. If patients presented symptoms earlier, they underwent additional 12-lead ECG and 24 hour holter ECG. We considered arrhythmic recurrence at least one episode of sustained AF or atrial flutter (>30 seconds) recorded on a surface 12-lead ECG or holter ECG.