Clinical, electrophysiological and imaging predictors of atrial fibrillation ablation outcome

Introduction: Significant technological advances for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) have occurred over the last decade, with a consequent increase in numbers of patients referred for AF ablation worldwide. Despite this, long-term success rates, particularly in those with persistent AF, remain modest. The patient population presenting for AF ablation are heterogeneous with regard to age, type of AF and presence of associated cardiovascular disease. Improved understanding of factors predicting response to AF ablation may therefore help to improve patient selection for ablation procedures. Areas covered: This review outlines the clinical, electrophysiological and imaging predictors of response to radiofrequency ablation for AF in contemporary practice. Recently developed scoring systems incorporating these parameters are examined, as are factors identified thus far which may predict the outcome of cryoballoon ablation. Expert commentary: Traditional clinical factors associated with ablation outcomes serve as surrogates rather than direct measures of the underlying arrhythmia substrate. An improved understanding of this substrate could improve the prediction of response to radiofrequency ablation. Continued development of methods for characterising the arrhythmia substrate, including atrial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and invasive voltage mapping, may inform patient risk assessment and help guide selection for catheter ablation on an increasingly individualistic basis.