The Utility of Transtelephonic Electrocardiograms for Detecting Arrhythmia Recurrences after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) is effective for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the definition of success following ablation is commonly based on the lack of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of recurrences of AF by daily transtelephonic electrocardiogram (T-ECG), as compared with Holter ECG, after ablation of AF.Methods: Twenty-two patients with AF underwent EEPVI. Holter ECG tests were performed at one, three, and six months, in addition to a daily T-ECG for the first 180 days after ablation.Results: A total of 6012 T-ECGs were obtained. Of these, 18.9% (1136) showed AF. Patients with AF were asymptomatic for 41.4% (470) of the episodes. Additionally, in 64% (14 of 22) of the patients, AF recurrences were recorded by T-ECG, whereas Holter ECG tests did not detect AF recurrences in 50% of the patients (7 of 14).Conclusions: T-ECG is better than Holter ECG in detecting AF relapses. The absence of symptoms should not be interpreted as absence of AF.