Acupuncture for Preventing Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence After Ablation

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 20 to 75 years * Persistent atrial fibrillation * Undergoing first-time catheter ablation with successful restoration of sinus rhythm * Left atrial diameter \<50 mm * Able to understand the study and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiovascular events within the past 3 months (including stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or cardiac surgery) * Symptomatic hypotension with systolic blood pressure \<100 mmHg on two consecutive measurements * Severe valvular heart disease or other significant structural heart disease * Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planned pregnancy during the study period * History of pacemaker implantation * Second- or third-degree atrioventricular block * Bifascicular or trifascicular block * Acupuncture treatment for cardiovascular disease within the past 3 months * Severe comorbid conditions, including: 1. Malignant tumors 2. Chronic infectious diseases 3. Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m² or requiring dialysis) 4. Moderate to severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh class B or C) 5. Anemia (hemoglobin \<90 g/L) 6. Systemic diseases requiring steroid therapy 7. Severe cognitive impairment or dementia 8. Alcohol or substance abuse 9. Life expectancy \<12 months 10. Poor compliance or inability to provide informed consent * Participation in another interventional clinical study