Clinical Characteristics and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 668 patients with AF who underwent RFCA in our hospital from June 2010 to June 2015. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age: group E (≥60 years old, n = 308) and group N (<60 years old, n = 360). Ablation endpoints included the following 3 points: (1) all preset ablation lines were completed; (2) all pulmonary veins were electrically isolated; and (3) negative evoked results were achieved. The success of follow-up was defined as patients who did not have an atrial arrhythmia attack for at least 3 months without the administration of antiarrhythmia drugs.

RESULTS: Clinical characteristics of elderly patients with AF: the proportion accounted for by female patients with AF, patients with hypertension, and patients with a CHADS2 score ≥2 points was significantly higher than that in group N (P < 0.001). RFCA procedure and safety: differences in the success rate of the first operation and severe complications were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Postoperative follow-up: the follow-up period was between 6 and 12 months after operation. Differences in the proportion of patients with repeated ablation and total success rate were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Although elderly patients with AF had more clinical complications, no differences in the success rate of RFCA and postoperative complications between the 2 groups were found. RFCA is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with AF.