What are the success rates of Afib Ablation? How do physicians know the chances of success?

Afib Ablation

Measuring Afib Ablation Success Rates

If you or a loved one is considering undergoing an ablation for atrial fibrillation, it is important to understand what the chances of success are. There are a number of variables that will play a role. Understanding my own chances of performing a successful ablation for each patient and how to improve it has been my life’s journey.

But how do physicians know what the chances of success are? Unfortunately, most medical centers and electrophysiologists are not equipped with the personnel or systems needed to collect outcomes from the procedures they are performing. And hence, the success rates disclosed may be numbers from published trials.

About a decade ago, as the number of Atrial fibrillation ablation procedures I personally performed started increasing, I saw the need to monitor all of my patients in a very organized way as if they were part of a clinical trial. This way I could deliver the best care while understanding what my chances of performing a successful ablation would be. I felt it was important to know my personal outcomes and complication rates, rather than the results that we read in the clinical trials.

Over 10 years ago I started building a process of embedding data collection in to our clinical practice. As I built expertise and experience with outcomes data collection, I started collaborating with other Physicians from all over the country. We built a very large network of electrophysiologist in almost 40 states that are using our methods to collect outcomes – the chances of success and complications of an ablation. We have used this data to build a very large quality improvement Network allowing physicians to collect data and understand their outcomes. Ultimately, this data is used to share with patients, collaborate to learn from each other and to get better at what they.

Dr Jose Osorio
Miami, FL