Long-term survival after ablation for atrial fibrillation

We evaluated long-term survival and predictors of mortality in 350 patients after atrioventricular node ablation and pacemaker implantation compared with expected survival and with the survival of patients taking drug therapy. Actual survival after ablation was significantly worse than expected survival, but not significantly different from that of patients taking drug therapy. Actual survival was not different than expected survival in patients without a previous myocardial infarction or cardiac drug therapy or congestive heart failure after ablation. Our findings suggest control of ventricular rate by ablation and pacing does not negatively affect long-term survival.