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Staged transthoracic approach

Staged transthoracic approach to persistent atrial fibrillation (TOP-AF): study protocol for a randomized trial

Project objectives

Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently shows multiple electrophysiological mechanisms of induction. This heterogeneity causes a low success rate of single procedures of ablation and a high incidence of FA recurrence. So far, surgical ablation through bilateral thoracotomy has demonstrated better results after single procedures.

Prospective observational studies in inhomogeneous populations without control groups reported a remarkable 90% success rate with hybrid or staged procedures (surgical ablation + trans catheter ablation). The purpose of this trial is to examine the hypothesis that a staged approach first involving minimally invasive surgical ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation, followed by a second percutaneous procedure in case of recurrence, has a higher success rate than repeated percutaneous procedures.

Start/End Date

January, 2015 - December, 2016

Principal Investigator

Prof. Massimo Chello

Host Institution

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Rome, Italy

Other Institutions involved

Università Magna Graecia - Catanzaro, Italy

Source of funding

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Rome, Italy

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