Niraj Sharma, MD, FHRS, Northside Hospital is joined by Rhea Pimentel, BChir, MD, FHRS, University of Kansas Health System and Usman Siddiqui, MD, Florida Cardiology Advent Health Systems, Orlando, to discuss how the FLUTFIB study aimed to assess the incidence, duration, timing, and symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation in patients with atrial flutter (AFL). The study included 100 patients with AFL, who received implantable loop recorders for continuous AF monitoring following CTI ablation. Over a median follow-up of 24 months, 77% of patients experienced AF episodes, typically occurring around 180 days post-ablation. Most AF episodes lasted over an hour, and about half of the patients reported symptoms. Baseline characteristics and risk scores (HATCH and CHA2DS2-VASc) did not predict AF development. Oral anticoagulation was discontinued in 32% of patients during follow-up but was restarted in 15% after AF detection. No strokes or transient ischemic attacks were recorded. This study, the largest of its kind, underscores the high incidence of often asymptomatic AF after AFL ablation and provides insights for anticoagulation management post-ablation.
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Host Disclosure(s): N. Sharma: Nothing to disclose.
Contributor Disclosure(s): U. Siddiqui: Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching: Abbott Medical, Acutus Medical Inc., Impulse Dynamics USA R. Pimentel: Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: American College of Cardiology Foundation, Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching: Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical, Membership on Advisory Boards: Biosense Webster
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