| Description: |
In patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), persistent AF, or paroxysmal AF (considered separately): Key Question 1. What is the comparative efficacy and effectiveness of AF catheter ablation on short- (6-12 months) and long- (>12 months) term outcomes in the general adult and Medicare populations? Comparisons of interest include: a) Catheter ablation compared with medical therapy b) Comparing ablation using different energy sources Key Question 2. What are the comparative short- and long-term complications and harms (e.g., periprocedural or device-related harms) associated with AF catheter ablation in the general adult and Medicare populations? Comparisons of interest include: a) Catheter ablation compared with medical therapy b) Comparing ablation using different energy sources Key Question 3. Are there modifications of efficacy, effectiveness, or harms of catheter ablation by patient-level characteristics such as age, sex, type of AF, comorbidities, risk for stroke or bleeding events, condition (i.e., patients with significant left ventricular dysfunction/heart failure or patients with significant left atrial enlargement or left ventricular hypertrophy), provider/setting characteristics or technique/approach? Comparisons of interest include: a) Catheter ablation compared with medical therapy b) Comparing ablation using different energy sources |