Ablation of right and left atrial premature beats following cardioversion in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs

Mapping and ablation of premature atrial contractions were performed in 48 patients with drug refractory persistent or chronic atrial fibrillation. At follow-up, 36 patients were arrhythmia free while continuing to take previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs. Thus, ablation of premature atrial contractions in combination with antiarrhythmic medications may help maintain sinus rhythm in this patient population with atrial fibrillation.