Present concepts in management of atrial fibrillation: From drug therapy to ablation

Table 2 Randomized trials comparing radiofrequency ablation with antiarrhythmic medications

Study	n	Follow-up(mo)	Patients free of AF			No. of ablation procedures	Major complications(ablation arm) (%)	Type of AF
			Ablation strategy (%)	AAD strategy (%)	P
Wazni et al[48] (2005)	70	12	88	37	< 0.001	1	6.3	Paroxysmal persistent
Oral et al[50] (2006)	146	12	74	58	0.05	1.4	0	Permanent
Stabile et al[49] (2006)	137	12	56	9	< 0.001	1	4.4	Paroxysmal persistent
Pappone et al[51] (2006)	198	12	86	22	< 0.001	1	2.0	Paroxysmal
Jaïs et al[52] (2008)	112	12	88	24	< 0.001	1.8	1.9	Paroxysmal
Forleo et al[53] (2009)	70	12	80	57	0.001	1	2.9	Paroxysmal persistent

All studies demonstrated the superiority of catheter ablation over anti-arrhythmic drugs in AF patients with regard to maintenance of sinus rhythm. AF: Atrial fibrillation; AAD: Anti-arrhythmic drug.