Clinical, histologic, and molecular associations of early and late recurrence after thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Heart RhythmJun 1, 2026 (epub)
Zhenyu Dong, Marc M Terpstra, Alexander Farouk da Silva da Freitas et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial studied 449 patients undergoing thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation, focusing on early recurrence (ER) and its association with late recurrence (LR). The study found that 39.2% of patients experienced ER, with those having ER at 31-90 days showing a higher risk of LR (hazard ratio 2.01) compared to those with ER at 0-30 days.
Key findings
- 39.2% of patients experienced early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation.
- ER at 31-90 days was associated with a higher risk of late recurrence (hazard ratio 2.01).
- Higher proteoglycan content correlated with increased risk of late recurrence.
- Fibroinflammatory pathways were enriched in patients with both early and late recurrence.
Why it matters
Understanding the timing and mechanisms of early recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation can help clinicians identify patients at higher risk for late recurrence, potentially guiding post-procedural management and follow-up strategies.