Calkins H, Gache L, Frame D, et al. - Given that recurrent arrhythmia after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) may occur early, during a standard 3-month blanking duration, researchers herein quantified the link between early and late arrhythmia recurrence, particularly the negative predictive value, that is, the degree to which absence of late recurrence is predicted by absence of blanking period recurrence. They performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, employing statistical methods of a diagnostic test accuracy review. The prespecified eligibility criteria were fulfilled by 9 studies. Freedom from late recurrence was found in 89% of patients with paroxysmal AF who were free from early recurrence. For persistent AF, a similar estimate was obtained. Based on these findings, experts inferred that longer-term success in catheter ablation is highly predicted by freedom from AF recurrence during the blanking period.