Obesity in patients undergoing first-time atrial fibrillation ablation was associated with larger left atrial size and higher pressure, but 1-year AF recurrence rates were similar (p=0.40).
Cohort (n=672)
Does obesity affect left atrial size, function, and arrhythmia recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing first-time ablation?
In patients undergoing first-time AF ablation, obesity is associated with larger LA size and higher LA pressure, but does not significantly impact LA function or 1-year AF recurrence rates.
p-value: p=0.40
Objectives: Obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF) are strongly linked and are both associated with significant left atrial (LA) pathology. This study aimed to assess differences in LA size and function between obese and non-obese AF patients and to evaluate AF recurrence in both groups. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing first-time ablation for AF. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, and patients were divided accordingly into obese and non-obese groups. Results: Among 672 patients (median age of 66 years; 39.1% women), 308 (45.8%) were obese. Obese patients had significantly larger LA dimensions (LA area, LA volume, and LAVI indexed to height2 (but not that indexed to body surface area (BSA)); p < 0.001), as well as higher LA-pressure-related parameters (LA stiffness index (p = 0.004), E-wave velocity (p = 0.002), and E/e′ ratio (p < 0.001)) and invasively measured mean LA pressure (p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in parameters directly reflecting LA function, such as LA emptying fraction, LA reservoir strain, or LA appendage velocity. These findings remained consistent in the sinus rhythm subgroup (n = 374). The 1-year AF recurrence rate did not differ between obese and non-obese groups (data available for 73.8% (496) patients; p = 0.40), regardless of baseline rhythm. Conclusions: In AF patients undergoing their first ablation, obesity was associated with a larger LA size and higher LA pressure. In obese individuals, indexing LA dimensions to height2 seems to better reflect LA enlargement than indexing to BSA. LA function and AF recurrence rates after a 1-year follow-up period were similar between obese and non-obese patients.
Uziębło‐Życzkowska et al. (Sun,) conducted a cohort in Atrial Fibrillation (n=672). Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) vs. Non-obese was evaluated on 1-year AF recurrence rate (p=0.40). Obesity in patients undergoing first-time atrial fibrillation ablation was associated with larger left atrial size and higher pressure, but 1-year AF recurrence rates were similar (p=0.40).