ACC: RF Ablation Helps in Complex Afib

Catheter ablation appears better than drug therapy for more complex, symptomatic atrial fibrillation, according to initial results of the CABANA pilot trial.

Patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation had a 58% reduced risk of symptomatic recurrence compared with patients taking rate and rhythm control medication (65% versus 41% at 12 months, P=0.033), Douglas L. Packer, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues reported.