Follow-up
All patients were followed up by cardiologists at the outpatient department in Fujita Health University at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ablation. All patients were asked about their symptoms and underwent a 12-lead electrocardiogram. Holter ECG monitoring was performed at 6 and 12 months follow-up. In case of AF recurrence within a 3-month blanking period, an anti-arrhythmic drug was prescribed and discontinued after the blanking period. AF recurrence was defined as any atrial tachy-arrhythmias lasting more than 30 seconds and occurring after the blanking period. The AF-free survival rates at more than six months were compared between FTI and TAI protocols.