Identification of clinical risk factors for arrhythmia recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Heart RhythmApr 29, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchCardiology
Kimmy W P Chan, Doris S F Yu, Joshua W K Ho et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined clinical risk factors for arrhythmia recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) post-catheter ablation, analyzing data from 152 studies with 49,919 patients. Key findings revealed that smoking (aHR 2.15) and periodontitis (aHR 2.04) were among the strongest predictors of recurrence, highlighting the importance of preablation risk assessment.
Key findings
- Smoking was associated with a 2.15-fold increased risk of arrhythmia recurrence (aHR 2.15 [1.49-3.10]).
- Periodontitis showed a 2.04-fold increased risk of recurrence (aHR 2.04 [1.48-2.83]).
- Untreated sleep apnea conferred a heightened risk with an aHR of 2.41 (1.51-3.86).
- Depression was linked to a 2.86-fold increased risk of recurrence (aOR 2.86 [1.51-5.41]).
Why it matters
Understanding the clinical risk factors for arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation can guide clinicians in personalizing patient assessments and optimizing preprocedural interventions, potentially improving outcomes.