Improvement of left ventricular function after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: a comprehensive echocardiographic assessment using two-dimensional speckle tracking analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-103
Author(s):  
Tomoo Nagai ◽  
Junko Arakawa ◽  
Akira Hamabe ◽  
Hirotsugu Tabata
Author(s):  
Judit Simon ◽  
Mohammed El Mahdiui ◽  
Jeff Smit ◽  
Lili Száraz ◽  
Alexander van Rosendael ◽  
...  

Introduction Catheter ablation is an established therapy for rhythm control in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF), however, recurrence is frequent particularly in persistent AF. There are no consistently confirmed predictors of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Therefore, we aimed to study whether LAA 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 iLAV, LAAV, 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<0.001) and LAAV (HR=1.06; 95%CI=1.01-1.12; p=0.029) 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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hachisuka ◽  
H Hayashi ◽  
R Mimuro ◽  
Y Maru ◽  
Y Fujimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Although radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a standard therapy, the ablation outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of RFCA for AF in patients undergoing HD. Methods Twenty-three patients undergoing HD (17 men, age 65±8 years, 19 paroxysmal AF) who underwent RFCA for drug-refractory AF in two institutes were enrolled in the study and defined as HD group. The clinical parameters, recurrence free rate and frequency of periprocedural complications were compared to 46 randomly selected age, gender and left atrial diameter matched controls not requiring HD defined as non-HD group (34men, age 67±7 years, 38 paroxysmal AF). Results The patients in HD group had a significantly lower body mass index (21±3 vs. 25±3 P<0.01), higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (30% vs. 10% P=0.04), and higher prevalence of congestive heart failure (52% vs. 10% P<0.01) compared to patients in non-HD group. Echocardiography indicated lower left ventricular ejection fraction (57±17% vs. 65±9% P=0.02), higher E/e' (20±8 vs. 12±4 P<0.01), higher tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (30mmHg vs. 24mmHg P<0.01) and more impaired left ventricular diastolic function in HD group. All the subjects underwent bilateral pulmonary vein isolation plus additional linear lesion. The number of ablation procedure was similar between the two groups (1.43±0.5 vs. 1.46±0.6 P=0.88). During the follow-up period of 37±25 months after the last procedure, the arrhythmia free rate was similar between the two groups (86% vs. 84% log-rank P=0.82). Vascular access complication occurred in two patients in HD group, and pericardial effusion occurred in one patient in non-HD group, while no life-threatening complications were observed in either group. Cardiogenic cerebral infarction occurred in one patient in non-HD group. Discontinuation of oral anticoagulation after the ablation was more often seen in the HD group compared to non-HD group (91% vs. 60% P<0.01). Conclusions Although patients undergoing HD had more impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, RFCA for AF in patients with HD was shown to be as effective and safe as in non-HD patients. RFCA may be an efficient approach to manage AF in patients undergoing HD.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanghamitra Mohanty ◽  
CHINTAN G TRIVEDI ◽  
Faiz Baqai ◽  
Domenico G Della Rocca ◽  
Carola Gianni ◽  
...  

Background: Ablation strategy for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) is highly variable with diverse outcomes. Objective: We evaluated the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with different ablation approaches in LSPAF patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: Consecutive LSPAF patients with HF (LVEF <40%) undergoing their first catheter ablation at our center were included in the analysis. Based on the ablation strategy determined by the operators, patients were classified into two groups; group 1: received standard ablation (PV isolation+ isolation of left atrial posterior wall and superior vena cava) and group 2: standard ablation plus isolation of coronary sinus (CS) and left atrial appendage (LAA). High-dose isoproterenol challenge (20-30 μg for 10-15 min) was utilized to reveal LAA and CS triggers; electrical isolation was the procedural endpoint for LAA and CS ablation. If PVs were electrically silent due to presence of severe scar, LAA and CS were empirically isolated even in the absence of detectable triggers. LVEF was measured by transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) performed at baseline and 6 months post-ablation. Patients were monitored for arrhythmia-recurrence off-antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) as per our standard protocol. Results: Group 1 included 52 patients and group 2 had 106. Baseline characteristics were comparable across groups (age: 66.2 ± 7.3 and 64.4 ± 9.4; male: 41 (78.8%) and 87 (82.1%); BMI: 32.3 ± 6.8 and 30.4 ± 6.4 in group 1 and 2). Mean baseline LVEF (%) was 36.2±5.5 and 35.1±8.3 in group 1 and 2 respectively (p=NS). At the 6-month TEE, mean LVEF was significantly higher than the baseline value in group 2 (47.7±11 vs 35.1±8.3, p<0.001), whereas in group 1, although there was a positive trend, the change was statistically non-significant (39.4±10 vs. 36.2±5.5, p=0.36). A total of 7 (13.5%) patients from group 1 and 89 (84%) from group 2 were arrhythmia-free off-AAD at 1.5 year of follow-up (p<0.001). Conclusion: In our study population, ablation strategy including LAA and CS isolation along with the standard ablation resulted in significant improvement in the LVEF as well as higher rate of arrhythmia-free survival.


Author(s):  
T. V. Zolotarova ◽  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) directly leads to a cognitive function decline regardless of the cerebrovascular fatal events, but it is unclear whether the sinus rhythm restoration and reducing the AF burden can reduce the rate of this decreasement. Data on the effect of radiofrequency ablation on patients’ cognitive functions are conflicting and need to be studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of atrial fibrillation radiofrequency catheter ablation on cognitive functions in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The impact of AF radiofrequency catheter ablation on cognitive function in 136 patients (mean age 59.7 ± 8.6 years) with chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and compared with 58 patients in the control group (58.2 ± 8.1 years), which did not perform ablation and continued the tactics of drug antiarrhythmic therapy was investigated. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Test (MoCA) at the enrollment stage and 2 years follow-up. Decreased cognitive function was defined as a MoCA test score < 26 points, cognitive impairment < 23 points. Two years after the intervention, there was a positive dynamics (baseline MoCA test — 25,1 ± 2,48, 2-year follow-up — 26,51 ± 2,33, p < 0,001) in the ablation group and negative in the control group (25,47 ± 2,85 and 24,57 ± 3,61, respectively, p < 0,001). Pre-ablation cognitive impairment was significantly associated with improved cognitive function 2 years after AF ablation according to polynomial regression analysis. The obtained data suggest a probable positive effect of AF radiofrequency ablation on cognitive functions in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.


Author(s):  
Satoshi Yanagisawa ◽  
Yasuya Inden ◽  
Shuro Riku ◽  
Kazumasa Suga ◽  
Koichi Furui ◽  
...  

Introduction: The risk of developing left atrial (LA) thrombi after initial catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and requirements for imaging evaluation for thrombi screening at repeat ablation is unclear. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of thrombus development and frequency of any imaging study evaluating thrombus formation during repeat ablation for AF. Methods: Of 2,066 patients undergoing initial catheter ablation for AF with uninterrupted oral anticoagulation, 615 patients underwent repeat ablation after 258.0 (105.0-882.0) days. We investigated which factors were associated with safety outcomes and requirements for thrombi screening. Results: All patients underwent at least one imaging examination to screen for thrombi in the first session, but the examination rate decreased to 476 patients (77%) before the repeat procedure. The frequency of imaging evaluations was 5.0%, 11%, 21%, 84%, and 91% for transesophageal echocardiography and 18%, 33%, 49%, 98%, and 99% for any imaging modality at repeat ablation performed ≤60 days, ≤90 days, ≤180 days, >180 days, and >1 year after the initial procedure, respectively. Three patients (0.5%) developed LA thrombi at repeat ablation due to identifiable causes, and no patients had thromboembolic events when no imaging evaluation was performed. Multivariate analysis revealed that repeat ablation >180 days, non-paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction were predictors of the risk of thrombus development. Conclusions: The risk development of thrombus at repeat ablation for AF was low. There needs to be a risk stratification for the requirement of imaging screening for thrombi at repeat ablation for AF.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-23
Author(s):  
A. V. Tregubov ◽  
Yu. V. Shubik

Aim. To evaluate the impact of the atrial ectopic activity and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on predicting the effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods. 54 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF and the normal left ventricular ejection fraction were included in the study. Patients underwent Holter monitoring and echocardiography prior to the intervention to identify the predictors of successful PVI. The follow-up was 12 months after the indexed procedure. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed from the third month of the postoperative period. The criterion of the successful treatment was the absence of the AF paroxysms lasting more than 30 seconds, confirmed by Holter, diurnal and / or multi-day monitoring. The Student's t-test was used to assess the reliability of the differences between the variables characterizing the treatment results in the study groups. The discriminant analysis was performed to develop an algorithm that allows predicting the PVI result. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. Premature atrial contraction over 70 per hour can be considered as the predictor of the successful PVI in patients with normal left atrial size. The severe LA enlargement should be considered as a predictor of poor ablation efficacy. The obtained discriminant function allows predicting the effectiveness of PVI in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF depending on Holter monitoring and echocardiography. Its sensitivity is high for both predicting success and failure of the intervention.Conclusion. Holter monitoring and echocardiography allow predicting the effectiveness of PVI. The intervention's efficacy in the groups of patients with severe LA enlargement and the combination of normal left atrial size with over 70 PAC per hour should be addressed in the further studies.


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