Postprocedure Management and Follow-up
Patients were monitored overnight and then discharged with instructions
to continue the anticoagulant and rhythm-control medications that they
had been taking before the procedure. After 3 months, treatment with
rhythm-control agents was discontinued in cases with no recurrence of
arrhythmia or arrhythmia-related symptoms. Additionally, warfarin or
dabigatran was discontinued, and aspirin was substituted if appropriate.
All patients were seen at 3, 6, and 12 months postablation in the
outpatient clinic. At each visit, the patients were investigated with a
24-h Holter monitor and echocardiography. In the case of symptoms, an
additional 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was acquired.