Key result
Catheter ablation for persistent AF is associated with ~67% six-month recurrence freedom and incomplete LA recovery.
Why the study?
To evaluate left atrial reservoir and pump function using ultrasound strain rate imaging after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Does catheter ablation improve left atrial reservoir and pump function measured by speckle tracking imaging in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation?
Cohort (n=45)
Does catheter ablation improve left atrial reservoir and pump function measured by speckle tracking imaging in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation?
Speckle tracking imaging demonstrates that while left atrial pump function partially recovers after catheter ablation for persistent AF, both reservoir and pump functions remain impaired at 6 months compared to normal controls.
Supports partial LA recovery after ablation in persistent AF; leaves open long-term outcomes and need for RCTs.
OBJECTIVE: By using ultrasound strain rate (SR) imaging to evaluate the left atrial (LA) reservoir and pump function after catheter ablation (CA) with persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS: A total of 45 patients with PAF underwent echocardiography examination before and after ablation as well as during 6 months of follow-up. Peak SR was measured at each LA segment (septal, lateral, anterior, inferior and posterior) during systole (LAs) and late diastole (LAa). RESULTS: During 6 months after CA, 30 patients were free of atrial fibrillation recurrence (AFR). left atrial area index (LAAI), left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax), and E/Ea were obviously higher in patients with before CA, left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), SR-LAs were lower than in normal cases, the SR-LAa was disappeared. Shortly after ablation, SR-LAa was recovered, and SR-LAs was reduced compared to those at baseline. At midterm follow-up, LAEF and SR-LAs were still lower than the control group, and LAAI and LAVImax were higher. SR-LAa was recovered slowly over time, but still lower. CONCLUSION: LA reservoir function was seriously damaged and LA pump function disappeared in patients with PAF. LA reservoir function impairment appeared shortly after ablation, it showed improvement at midterm follow-up, but some degree of damage to the LA reservoir and pump function was still present. Speckle tracking imaging is a feasible technique for the assessment of LA function in patients with PAF, which is a potentially valuable clinical tool to assist in the early detection of atrial remodelling and reverse remodelling.
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Zhong et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Persistent atrial fibrillation (n=45). Catheter ablation vs. Baseline and normal controls was evaluated on Left atrial reservoir and pump function (peak strain rate, LAEF, LAAI, LAVImax).
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