METHODS
arrhythmias
PAROXYSMAL AF, PAF, ARRHYTHMIAS
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation vs a sham procedure in patients with symptomatic persistent or paroxysmal AF. The null hypothesis predicts that PV isolation has no effect on AF burden compared to a sham procedure.Paroxysmal AF (PAF), also termed intermittent AF, is defined as any episode of AF that terminates spontaneously or with intervention in less than 7 days.The major inclusion criteria for the study comprise patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF despite at least one antiarrhythmic drug (AAD Type I or III, including β‐blocker and AAD intolerance). The major exclusion criteria include long‐term persistent AF (any continuous AF episode lasting more than 1 year), prior left atrium (LA) catheter or surgical AF ablation, patients with other arrhythmias requiring ablative therapy, LA ≥ 5.5 cm and ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 35% (Table Inclusion and exclusion criteria.Outcome measures will be evaluated at 3 months postrandomisation and 6 months postrandomisation (Table Schedule of interventions and assessments.Abbreviation: ILR, implantable loop recorder.Secondary outcomes.