Study design and population
AF, mitral stenosis, drug-refractory
MITRAL STENOSIS, PRIMARY CARDIOMYOPATHY, HYPERTHYROIDISM, HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY, SICK SINUS SYNDROME
A consecutive cohort of patients was included in the study from the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between January 2018 and December 2020. Patients over 18 years old with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF, who received their first catheter ablation procedure were eligible. Exclusion criteria included: (i) persistent, long-standing persistent or permanent AF; (ii) valvular AF, which was defined as AF occurring with moderate or severe mitral stenosis or surgical valve replacement; (iii) AF with primary cardiomyopathy (e.g., Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy); (iv) reversible AF (e.g., AF associated with hyperthyroidism); (v) suspected compensated AF because of Sick Sinus Syndrome; (vi) patients who failed to follow-up. The electronic medical record system of the Information Department of the hospital showed 471 patients who met the criteria in the above period and were thus enrolled in the study. This study conformed to Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement and was approved by the ethics committee of the hospital, according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was acquired by all 471 patients before radiofrequency or cryoballoon ablation.