The AFib Summit, held during the Heart Rhythm 2007 Annual Scientific Sessions, May 9-10, in Denver, Colorado, featured world-renowned experts who presented the latest in the diagnosis, management, drug therapy, outcomes, and ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Sessions during the AFib Summit covered the following topics: AF mechanisms; clinical outcomes of AF ablation; new generation imaging for ablative interventions; facilitating good outcomes and avoiding bad ones; anti-thrombotic, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy for AF; how to perform ablative intervention; special considerations for non-pharmacologic therapies; and the means by which to pull it all together.

A highlight of the AFib Summit was the release of a revised consensus statement on atrial fibrillation. In this article, the central components of the HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation are described as well as how the incorporation of the statement s guidelines will impact treatment of atrial fibrillation in the future.

The AFib Summit featured a special presentation that summarized the newly released consensus statement on ablation of AF, which was followed by an interactive panel discussion with the experts in AF. In this article, we will summarize both the consensus statement and the panel discussion.

Summary of the Presentation on The Heart Rhythm Society/Expert Consensus Statement on AFib Ablation: What Do We Know, What Should We Do?

Hugh Calkins, MD, co-chair of the AFib Summit, described the HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation as a state-of-the-art review of the field of catheter and surgical ablation of AF. The consensus statement reports the findings of a Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) task force charged with defining the indications, techniques, and outcomes of these procedures.

The statement was written in joint partnership with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS) and endorsed by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The statement was released electronically just prior to Heart Rhythm 2007, and was published in the HRS and EHRA journals in June 2007.¹

The consensus statement summarizes the opinions of 27 task force members, who have been recognized as the world s most prominent leaders in the field of electrophysiology (EP). Task force members received a survey and responded based on their own experiences in treating patients. Aspects of AF ablation that represented a true consensus were identified and described in the document, which also includes a review of the literature.

Dr. Calkins stated that the statement has been well received by the community of electrophysiologists who care for patients with atrial fibrillation and/or perform catheter ablation procedures. From a clinical perspective this document has been well received for several reasons.

First, the document has provided clear indications and contraindications for performing AF ablation procedures. This has been very useful in discussing the complexities of the procedure with patients. Second, the consensus document has clarified that electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins is the primary objective of an AF ablation procedure, particularly when performed for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.