Limited Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using Preprocedure Reverse Remodelling

Abstract

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been demonstrated to be a highly effective treatment option for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), but less effective for patients with persistent AF. The lower efficacy of PVI alone has been attributed to adverse atrial electrical and structural remodelling in the setting of AF. Strategies to improve efficacy of catheter ablation for persistent AF alter these pathophysiological characteristics of atrial tissue remodelling. Here we will review the physiology of atrial electrical remodelling observed during AF and evidence that it is reversible. Further, we will explore its uses to reduce the amount of atrial tissue that needs to be ablated to successfully treat patients with persistent AF.