New study: Early ablation for atrial fibrillation yields the best results

A new Danish study shows that far more patients achieve a stable and normal heart rhythm following heart surgery if they receive treatment shortly after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Using the joint Danish quality database for catheter treatment of atrial fibrillation, researchers from Gentofte Hospital have investigated the outcomes for 8,000 patients treated with ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Around 2,500 patients (early) were treated within a year of being diagnosed, and just over 3,000 (late) were not treated until three years or more after being diagnosed.

40% more patients maintain a normal heart rhythm

The study shows that 40% more of those treated early maintain a stable heart rhythm for a long time after treatment, compared with those treated late. The results apply regardless of age and to both people with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

The study also shows that 20% fewer of those treated early experience heart failure, a stroke or death during the follow-up period, compared with those treated late. The new findings therefore conclude that patients with atrial fibrillation should consider ablation early in the course of the condition, regardless of whether the atrial fibrillation is paroxysmal or persistent and regardless of age.

20% lower risk of blood clots

The findings are consistent with a major European scientific study from 2020 (the EAST study). The EAST study shows that patients treated to maintain a normal heart rhythm (with medication or ablation) within a year of diagnosis have a 20% lower risk of suffering a stroke, developing heart failure or dying from cardiovascular disease, compared with patients who receive only heart rate-lowering medication.

“The new Danish findings, together with the EAST study, support the view that ablation treatment should be considered early on after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation,” explains Peter Steen Hansen, who is a clinic manager and specialist in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

Cardiologist Peter Steen Hansen therefore recommends acting quickly.

“Early treatment will provide the best quality of life and spare the patient complications such as blood clots in the brain, heart failure and death from cardiovascular disease,” he says.

Ablation treatment at Privathospitalet Mølholm

Privathospitalet Mølholm performs around 1,000 ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation every year. This makes the hospital the largest treatment centre in Scandinavia. It is a highly specialised and high-tech treatment which, apart from university hospitals, is only offered at two private hospitals in Scandinavia – Privathospitalet Mølholm and in Stockholm.

Facts about ablation treatment

Ablation for atrial fibrillation is performed using a catheter that is passed from the groin to the heart
The treatment takes one and a half to two hours and patients can usually go home the same day
Up to 90% of patients can be free of atrial fibrillation after ablation treatment
The earlier you are treated for atrial fibrillation, the better the long-term results will be

More about the treatment

Read more about atrial fibrillation at rytmedoktor.dk

Sources:

J Am Heart Assoc, 2024 Apr 2;13(7)

N Engl J Med. 2020 Oct 1;383(14):1305-1316