Pulmonary vein isolation by circumferential radiofrequency lesions in atrial fibrillation. From substrate to clinical outcome.

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "medical radiofrequency ablation",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with paroxysmal (n=98) and permanent/chronic (n=29) atrial fibrillation undergoing circumferential ablation around pulmonary vein ostia (CARTO system)",
  "sample_size": 127,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sinus rhythm after follow-up",
    "Need for antiarrhythmic drugs after ablation",
    "Electroanatomic mapping measures (activation/propagation/voltage maps; low-voltage area extent)",
    "Ablation success vs failure"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Circumferential pulmonary vein ostial ablation was performed in 127 AF patients with 135 ± 18 radiofrequency pulses. After 14.7 ± 3.3 months follow-up, 84 paroxysmal and 22 chronic AF patients were in sinus rhythm, and 75 of those were without antiarrhythmic drugs. The extent of low-voltage potentials within and just around the lesions distinguished patients with and without successful ablation.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "No study design details provided in abstract (e.g., randomization/control group not described)",
    "Frequency, power, or dosimetry of radiofrequency energy not reported",
    "Outcome definitions and ascertainment methods not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "atrial fibrillation",
    "pulmonary vein isolation",
    "circumferential ablation",
    "radiofrequency lesions",
    "CARTO",
    "electroanatomic mapping",
    "sinus rhythm",
    "antiarrhythmic drugs"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "medical-rf-ablation",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study involves therapeutic radiofrequency ablation (pulmonary vein isolation) rather than environmental EMF exposure."
    }
  ]
}