Abstract
BackgroundWe meta‐analyzed the efficacy and safety of catheter (CA) vs thoracoscopic (TA) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched until 31/12/2019 for relevant randomized trials and subsequent pooled analyses.ResultsIn six trials totaling 465 patients (254 CA/211 TA), 1‐year AF recurrences were higher for CA (46% vs 26%, odds ratio 2.90 [95% CI 1.32‐6.38]), whereas total adverse events were lower (10% vs 25%, 0.35 [0.14‐0.86], respectively).ConclusionCA has lower efficacy but higher safety than TA. CA should remain the first‐line AF ablation strategy, and TA reserved for selected CA‐resistant patients where rhythm control is clinically necessary.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
