Cited 16 times since 2021 (4.9 per year) source: EuropePMC Clinical cardiology, Volume 45, Issue 3, 19 3 2021, Pages 273-281 Left atrial appendage size is a marker of atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Simon J, El Mahdiui M, Smit JM, Száraz L, van Rosendael AR, Herczeg S, Zsarnóczay E, Nagy AI, Kolossváry M, Szilveszter B, Szegedi N, Nagy KV, Tahin T, Gellér L, van der Geest RJ, Bax JJ, Maurovich-Horvat P, Merkely B
Introduction
There are no consistently confirmed predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. Therefore, we aimed to study whether left atrial appendage volume (LAAV) and function influence the long-term recurrence of AF after catheter ablation, depending on AF type.
Methods
AF patients who underwent point-by-point radiofrequency catheter ablation after cardiac computed tomography (CT) were included in this analysis. LAAV and LAA orifice area were measured by CT. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to determine the predictors of AF recurrence.
Results
In total, 561 AF patients (61.9 ± 10.2 years, 34.9% females) were included in the study. Recurrence of AF was detected in 40.8% of the cases (34.6% in patients with paroxysmal and 53.5% in those with persistent AF) with a median recurrence-free time of 22.7 (9.3-43.1) months. Patients with persistent AF had significantly higher body surface area-indexed LAV, LAAV, and LAA orifice area and lower LAA flow velocity, than those with paroxysmal AF. After adjustment left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% (HR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.38-3.43; p < .001) and LAAV (HR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.12; p = .029) were independently associated with AF recurrence in persistent AF, while no independent predictors could be identified in paroxysmal AF.
Conclusion
The current study demonstrates that beyond left ventricular systolic dysfunction, LAA enlargement is associated with higher rate of AF recurrence after catheter ablation in persistent AF, but not in patients with paroxysmal AF.
