“…Indications for catheter atrial fibrillation ablation in populations of patients not well represented in clinical trials Congestive heart failure | It is reasonable to use similar indications for AF ablation in selected patients with heart failure as in patients without heart failure. | IIa | B-R | [36–52] |
Older patients (>75 years of age) | It is reasonable to use similar indications for AF ablation in selected older patients with AF as in younger patients. | IIa | B-NR | [53–59] |
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | It is reasonable to use similar indications for AF ablation in selected patients with HCM as in patients without HCM. | IIa | B-NR | [60–62] |
Young patients (<45 years of age) | It is reasonable to use similar indications for AF ablation in young patients with AF (<45 years of age) as in older patients. | IIa | B-NR | [63, 64] |
Tachy-brady syndrome | It is reasonable to offer AF ablation as an alternative to pacemaker implantation in patients with tachy-brady syndrome. | IIa | B-NR | [33–35] |
Athletes with AF | It is reasonable to offer high-level athletes AF as first-line therapy due to the negative effects of medications on athletic performance. | IIa | C-LD | [27, 28, 65] |
Asymptomatic AF ∗∗
| Paroxysmal: Catheter ablation may be considered in select patients. ∗∗
| IIb | C-EO | [66, 67] |
Persistent: Catheter ablation may be considered in select patients. | IIb | C-EO | [68] |
Indications for surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation |
C. Indications for concomitant open (such as mitral valve) surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation |
Symptomatic AF refractory or intolerant to at least one Class I or III antiarrhythmic medication | Paroxysmal: Surgical ablation is recommended. | I | B-NR | [69–82] |
Persistent: Surgical ablation is recommended. | I | B-NR | [69–82] |
Long-standing persistent: Surgical ablation is recommended. | I | B-NR | [69–82] |
Symptomatic AF prior to i... |
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