Peri-procedural management
Pre-procedure TEE was performed only for the patients presenting in AF
at the time of ablation as per institutional practice. All patients
underwent a preprocedural computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the
left atrium (LA) and pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy in detail. Catheter
ablation in patients on warfarin was performed without cessation of
warfarin, and patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) held
anticoagulation for 12–24 hours prior to the ablation procedure, with
resumption 4 hours post-procedure. Anticoagulation was continued for a
minimum of 3 months following the ablation procedure for all patients
unless contraindicated.