Follow-up after catheter ablation
Current guideline suggests all patients who undergo catheter ablation
for AF should be followed up at a minimum of 3 months following the
ablation procedure, and then every 6 months for at least 2 years. A
personal visit with 12-lead ECG and more intense monitoring is also
recommended. However, the strategy of follow-up during or after COVID-19
pandemic is prone to change.56For examples, in-person
clinic visit is recommended to be avoided, and instead,
tele-health/virtual visits could be adopted to minimize unnecessary
exposure.57The inspections of incision site after
device implantation or catheter ablation can be managed via tele-health
utilizing a video conference or mobile photography. Instead of
conventional monitoring device such as 24-hour Holter Monitoring, remote
monitor of heart rhythm via mobile device is suggested to decrease
on-site visits.