Introduction
The recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be controlled by the
established treatment of pulmonary vein isolation
(PVI)1; however, the effect of PVI seems to be
insufficient in patients with non-paroxysmal AF. Additional strategies
for AF catheter ablation have been considered in previous
investigations, and linear ablation of the left atrial (LA) roof line
and mitral isthmus (MI) line is one of the additional therapeutic
methods of catheter ablation.2 Atrial tachycardia (AT)
recurrence has been reported as an undesirable outcome after catheter
ablation for AF, which might be attributable to linear
ablations.3 Ablation of the LA roof with a cryoballoon
in addition to PVI was investigated as a novel method for LA roof line
ablation.4 However, detailed clinical outcomes,
including the type of recurrence, have not been fully examined. Thus,
the present study aimed to clarify
the details after catheter ablation in patients with non-paroxysmal AF,
especially those who underwent cryoballoon ablation of the LA posterior
wall (LAPW) including the LA roof.