PVI alone is insufficient in the treatment of persistent AF. However, additional left linear lesions increase the success rate significantly. Early AF-relapses are associated with a negative outcome after PVI alone but not following additional SM.

In the present study we could show, that freedom from AF can be achieved by catheter ablation in a high percentage of patients even with PersAF. Continuous atrial monitoring reveals AF ablation success rates comparable with those assessed by clinical evaluation. Symptomatic freedom of AF correlated well with the actual freedom of AF at least in this highly symptomatic patient cohort.

NavX technology allows geometry reconstruction of the cavotricuspid isthmus. NavX-guided ablation of AFL reduces total x-ray exposure compared to the fluoroscopy-guided approach but does not prolong procedure time.