A combined left and right atrial area index > 26.7 cm2/m2 predicted higher AF recurrence after ablation in persistent AF compared to ≤ 26.7 cm2/m2 (65% vs 25%; HR 4.28; 95% CI 1.50-12.22; p=0.007).
Observational (n=85)
Does combined left and right atrial area measured by CMR predict AF recurrences after catheter ablation in patients with persistent AF?
Combined left and right atrial area indexed to body surface area measured by CMR may outperform 3D atrial volumes in predicting AF recurrence after ablation in patients with persistent AF.
Hazard Ratio: 4.28 (95% CI 1.5–12.22)
Absolute Event Rate: 65% vs 25%
p-value: p=0.007
Background and Objectives: Left atrial (LA) remodelling and dilatation predicts atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences after catheter ablation. However, whether right atrial (RA) remodelling and dilatation predicts AF recurrences after ablation has not been fully evaluated. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study of 85 consecutive patients (aged 57 ± 9 years; 70 82% men) who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance before first catheter ablation for AF (40 47.1% persistent AF). Four-chamber cine-sequence was selected to measure LA and RA area, and ventricular end-systolic image phase to obtain atrial 3D volumes. The effect of different variables on event-free survival was investigated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: In patients with persistent AF, combined LA and RA area indexed to body surface area (AILA + RA) predicted AF recurrences (HR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.00–1.17, p = 0.048). An AILA + RA cut-off value of 26.7 cm2/m2 had 72% sensitivity and 73% specificity for predicting recurrences in patients with persistent AF. In this group, 65% of patients with AILA + RA > 26.7 cm2/m2 experienced AF recurrence within 2 years of follow-up (median follow-up 11 months), compared to 25% of patients with AILA + RA ≤ 26.7 cm2/m2 (HR 4.28, 95% CI 1.50–12.22; p = 0.007). Indices of LA and RA dilatation did not predict AF recurrences in patients with paroxysmal AF. Atrial 3D volumes did not predict AF recurrences after ablation. Conclusions: In this pilot study, the simple measurement of AILA + RA may predict recurrences after ablation of persistent AF, and may outperform measurements of atrial volumes. In paroxysmal AF, atrial dilatation did not predict recurrences. Further studies on the role of RA and LA remodelling are needed.
Mǎrgulescu et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=85). Combined LA and RA area indexed to body surface area (AILA + RA) > 26.7 cm2/m2 vs. AILA + RA ≤ 26.7 cm2/m2 was evaluated on Atrial fibrillation recurrences (HR 4.28, 95% CI 1.50-12.22, p=0.007). A combined left and right atrial area index > 26.7 cm2/m2 predicted higher AF recurrence after ablation in persistent AF compared to ≤ 26.7 cm2/m2 (65% vs 25%; HR 4.28; 95% CI 1.50-12.22; p=0.007).