The cornerstone of AF is electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PV). In patients with non-paroxysmal AF, PV isolation alone is insufficient, and one needs to modify the atrial arrhythmogenic substrate. AF ablation is now a common procedure and mostly performed using a transvenous, endocardial approach with catheters. For patients with persistent AF however, this procedure is not sufficient.

There is a growing movement towards a convergent procedure management strategy, used alongside standard catheterisation techniques to optimise patient outcomes. More and more research suggests that an integrated approach involving multidisciplinary teams (of electrophysiologists and surgeons) may lead to improved success rates and increased patient satisfaction.

This programme, first presented at EHRA 2022, brings together thought-leaders from across Europe to discuss the role of hybrid ablation in treating long-standing persistent AF. Moderator, Prof John Camm (St George’s University of London, UK) leads the faculty to explore the need for the hybrid approach, the science supporting its implementation and insights from experienced practitioners.

Note, the live version of the programme was CME-accredited, this on-demand version is not.