Study population
This was a retrospective, single centre analysis of consecutive patients
with systolic heart failure undergoing catheter ablation for AF at the
Barts Heart Centre from 1st January 2008 to
30th March 2018. Patients were included if they: (1)
had documented pre-procedural LVEF ≤45% as determined by either
echocardiography or cardiac MR within 6 months of the index procedure;
(2) underwent index catheter ablation for AF incorporating de-novo
pulmonary vein isolation with cyroballoon (CRYO). Patients were excluded
if (1) they had <12 months of follow up; (2) had previous left
atrial ablation for AF; (3) if clinical data was incomplete. This study
was approved by the hospital’s relevant governing body (clinical
effectiveness unit approval number: 10573).