Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of catheter ablation in young adults with atrial fibrillation

Purpose: We aim to describe the long-term safety and efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) in young patients (<30 years) with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients aged 18-30 who underwent CA for AF, and clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes are reported. Survival analyses were performed between the study group and a propensity-matched older cohort (>30 years, mean age: 58±10 years).

Results: From January 2000 to January 2019, a 1st CA (radiofrequency energy n=72, cryoballoon n=10), was performed in 82 patients (mean age 26±4 years, paroxysmal n=61, persistent n=14, longstanding persistent n=7), among 6336 consecutive patients with AF. During a follow-up of 5±5 years, 56% and 30% of the patients with paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF were arrhythmia free without antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy after a single CA (P=0.02). After 1.5±0.8 CA procedures, 76% and 75% of the patients with paroxysmal AF and non-paroxysmal AF were arrhythmia free without AADs (P=0.54). Compared to a propensity-matched group of older patients, young patients were as likely to remain in sinus rhythm after CA (P=0.47), however after fewer repeat CAs (1.5±0.8 vs 1.9±0.9, P<0.009). There were no long-term adverse outcomes associated with CA.

Conclusions: CA is a safe and effective treatment of AF in young patients with comparable outcomes to the older patients, however after fewer procedures.