Re-ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

This study is a prospective, patient and assessor blinded, 1:1 randomized superiority trial.

Consecutive patients referred for re-ablation of symptomatic PsAF after previous PVI will be included. All preoperative procedures will be conducted according to the department's standard operational procedures for AF ablation. In all patients, an electro anatomical map (CARTO™, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, or EnSite X™, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) of the LA with a multipolar mapping catheter (PENTARAY™ or OCTARAY™, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, or Advisor™ HD Grid, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) will be constructed and reconnection of PVs will be assessed in sinus rhythm. If reconnection is present, re-PVI will be performed and confirmed with the multipolar mapping catheter. Patients in atrial fibrillation will undergo cardioversion to sinus rhythm prior to mapping. After mapping and confirming isolation of the PVs, patients will be randomized using the Redcap Database software to intervention or control. The intervention group will undergo VOM ethanol ablation including supplementary LA and coronary sinus ablation, if needed to achieve mitral isthmus block plus creation of dome line and cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) block. VOM ablation, mitral and CTI ablation and dome line will not be performed in control group and patients in control group will undergo no further ablation. The energy source used will be radiofrequency ablation or pulsed field ablation, at the discretion of the physician. However, radiofrequency should be preferred near coronary arteries. For dome line, focal PFA is preferred. All post-procedural work-up and follow-up will be the same for both randomization groups and assessment of outcomes will be performed by personnel blinded to randomization.

Patients are followed with standard ECG at 3 months, with standard ECG, 5-days' ECG monitoring and quality of life assessment after 12 months, with standard ECG and quality of life assessment after 24 months, through patient files at 60 months after the ablation.

Primary endpoint: Change in AFEQT score between baseline and 12 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Previous pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation
• Indication for catheter ablation with at least two episodes of symptomatic PsAF during the last 12 months
• Age > 18 years
• Expected survival > 12 months
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Previous extrapulmonary atrial ablation other than cavotricuspid isthmus line, roof- or dome line or posterior wall isolation/ablation
• Atypical atrial flutter in addition to atrial fibrillation
• Atrial fibrillation secondary to a transient abnormality
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Acute coronary syndrome, cardiac surgery, or TIA/stroke within the last 3 months
• Planned cardiac surgery within 1 year
• Dialysis or severe renal failure
• Active substance or alcohol abuse (>14 units/week)