Abstract 17126: Changes of Left Atrial Size, Volumes and Function in Patients after Successful Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on left atrial (LA) size, volumes, and function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess changes of left atrial size, volumes and function in patients after successful RFCA for atrial fibrillation compared with patients with AF recurrence.

Methods: A total of 145 patients (103 males, mean age: 58.2±11.9 years) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who underwent their 1^st RFCA from May 2009 to April 2011 were enrolled in Seoul St. Mary’s hospital. Mean duration of follow-up is 1 year for assessing the relapse of AF. We analyzed transthoracic echocardiography before and after the RFCA at least 3 months later (Mean follow-up day 101.3±62.7 days). Mean differences for changes in LA diameter, LA volume index, A, A’, Peak systolic pulmonary venous velocity were estimated using unpaired t test.

Results: Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that use of class I antiarrhythmics, duration of AF, LVESd, LAVI were significantly associated with recurrence of AF for 1 year follow-up (adjusted HR =0.109, 1.019, 1.201, 1.113, respectively). Compared to pre-ablation values, there were significant decreases in LA diameter and LA volume index at post-ablation follow-up (2.4±5.2, 5.7±12.0, p<0.001). However, compared to preablation values, there was significant decrease in A and A’, as parameters for LA function at post-ablation follow-up (13.7±18.1, 1.7±1.9, p<0.001). Decrease of LA diameter is significantly remained in patients with successful RFA compared with patients with AF recurrence does not (5.4±0.5, p<0.001).

Conclusions: In conclusion, successful RFCA in patients with AF significantly decreases in LA diameter and does not seem to improve of LA function in short term follow-up. Key words: Atrial fibrillation, Radiofrequency catheter ablation, Echocardiography