baseline and periprocedural characteristics
The baseline characteristics of the study population are shown in table 1. Briefly, both treatment groups did not differ in mean age, left-ventricular function, EHRA stage, CHA2DS2-VASc and concomitant anti-arrhythmic medication. However, the sex distribution differed slightly in both groups.
PVI was achieved in all 120 patients. First-pass isolation was achieved more often in the HPSD group, resulting in fewer additional touch-up lesions to close the remaining gaps, especially to the right pulmonary veins. In case of the existence of low voltage areas within the posterior, anterior, lateral or roof wall of the left atrium, additional ablation lines were created in order to isolate these scar areas. As shown in Table 2, the occurrence and treatment of low voltage areas did not differ between the two groups. Additional ablation of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus was performed in 55% of the patients in the control group and 66% of patients in the HPSD group.