2024 AF Symposium

Summary: The Benefits of A-Fib Ablation Across the AF Spectrum—From Early Intervention to Late-Stage Heart Failure

The 2024 AF Symposium’s Friday morning session (February 3, 2024) was moderated by Dr. Nassir Marrouche of Tulane Medical Center. He recalled a phone call from Dr. Moussa Mansour who said, “If you look at the lectures, every one of them is [A-Fib] Guideline changing…I want to remind everyone this is the most important session of the whole meeting.” That was a noteworthy statement.

“The Benefits of Ablation Across the AF Spectrum: From Early Intervention to Late-Stage Heart Failure” session featured five speakers:

• Stephan Willems, Asklepios Clinic St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
• Jason Andrade, VCH Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Canada
• Philipp Sommer, The Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Douglas Packer, Intermountain Heart Institute, Murray, UT
• Francis Marchlinski of the Un. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Summary of Key Points

(To read an individual report use the link below.)

1. Dr. Stephan Willems advocated that asymptomatic A-Fib patients (30%-40% of A-Fib patients) should be treated with catheter ablation as soon as possible, rather than just leaving them in A-Fib. Today’s Guidelines do not currently recommend this. A-Fib is a serious, progressive heart disease that usually gets worse over time. (Go to Dr. Stephan Willems’ talk.)

2. Dr. Jason Andrade showed how dangerous A-Fib progression can be. Preventing A-Fib patients from getting worse is a major concern of EPs. His own and other studies showed how ablation reduced progression by 75% and produced a better quality of life. The success rate of drugs was only 32.2%. “Intervening early is the best opportunity for patients.” (Go to Dr. Jason Andrade’s talk.)

3. Dr. Philipp Sommer documented that catheter ablation improves heart failure and mortality, even in patients with very sick hearts. Becoming A-Fib free gets rid of symptoms and makes you feel better. And lets you live a healthier and longer life. (Go to Dr. Philipp Sommer’s talk.)

4. Dr. Douglas Packer, continuing the research into heart failure, identified a large group of heart failure patients with A-Fib and preserved Ejection Fraction (50%-60% of all heart failure patients) who currently aren’t receiving much medical attention. Catheter ablation may become a life-saving therapy for many of these heart failure patients. (Go to Dr. Douglas Packer’s talk.)

5. Dr. Francis Marchlinski documented many studies which show that ablation is superior to medical therapy and is now a first-choice option for many A-Fib patients, though medical therapy still has a place in treating A-Fib. (Go to Dr. Francis Marchlinski’s talk.)

Editor’s Comments

The Friday morning session was indeed very important for A-Fib patients. Here’s why:

• Catheter ablation should be done as soon as possible (rather than waiting till one’s A-Fib gets worse), even in patients who are asymptomatic. (Breakthrough research) (Willems)

• A-Fib is a disease whose progression is very dangerous, but catheter ablation reduces progression by 75% and produces a better quality of life. (Breakthrough research) (Andrade)

• Catheter ablation improves heart failure and mortality, even in patients with very sick hearts. These patients live a healthier and longer life. (Breakthrough research) (Sommer)

•  Ablation should be used in patients with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) who are 50%-60% of all heart failure patients, but who currently are not the focus of much medical attention and therapy. (Packer)

• Ablation is superior to medical therapy. If someone wants to just leave you on antiarrhythmic drugs, get a second opinion. (Marchlinski)

What all this Means for Patients: Remember: You must be your own best patient advocate. Ask questions. Read. Learn (i.e., reading my posts on A-Fib.com and AF Symposium reports.)

Don’t wait to act for your best A-Fib outcome. If you qualify for a Catheter ablation, have it done as soon as practical (rather than waiting till your A-Fib gets worse.)

You deserve a better quality of life. Don’t settle for a life on medication.

Return to 2024 AF Symposium Reports
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y  Last updated: Thursday, July 18, 2024

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