Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFCA) as second-line ... - NHS

Appendix CLiterature ReviewMedline and EMBASE were searched (via National Library for Health) using thesearch terms “pulmonary vein isolation,” “PVI,” “pulmonary vein ablation,” and“catheter ablation.” These terms were cross referenced with the term “atrialfibrillation.” Search was performed from August 2004 to July 2009 and limited toEnglish language articles on human subjects. Search was supplemented with ahand-search of bibliographies from recent articles. Inclusion criteria for studiesincluded; full length, peer reviewed, published, patients with AF treated withpercutaneous RFCA, randomised to RFCA or alternative (pharmacological and nonpharmacological), and report of relevant clinical outcome (death, cardiovascularevent, AF recurrence, quality of life, exercise tolerance, complicationsDr Lauren Ahyow. RFCA for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. August 2010. 29