Why the study?
Radiofrequency ablation requires precise catheter control and poses a steep learning curve, prompting a comparison of technical procedural parameters between attending and fellow electrophysiologists.
Does operator experience (attending vs. fellow) improve procedural metrics such as inter-lesion time during first-time AF ablation?
Population
194 patients undergoing first-time AF ablation
Comparison
Three attending vs five fellow electrophysiologists
Design
Observational study using cloud-based data analysis
Key result
Attending electrophysiologists achieved significantly shorter inter-lesion times during right pulmonary vein isolation compared to fellows (4.8 vs 9.6 seconds; p<0.001).
Authors
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Shorter ILT by attendings may guide fellow supervision in PVI; leaves open whether ILT optimization improves outcomes.
Observational (n=194)
Does operator experience (attending vs. fellow) improve procedural metrics such as inter-lesion time during first-time AF ablation?
Effect estimate: Hedges' g = -0.578
Absolute Event Rate: 4.8% vs 9.6%
p-value: p=<0.001
Inter-lesion time is a key metric reflecting procedural proficiency in radiofrequency AF ablation, with attending electrophysiologists achieving significantly shorter times than fellows.
Mori et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=194). Attending electrophysiologists vs. Fellow electrophysiologists was evaluated on Inter-lesion time (ILT) in right pulmonary vein (Hedges' g = -0.578, p=<0.001). Attending electrophysiologists achieved significantly shorter inter-lesion times during right pulmonary vein isolation compared to fellows (4.8 vs 9.6 seconds; p<0.001).