Diabetes Mellitus Is an Independent Risk Factor for a Stiff Left Atrial Physiology After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Background Scar tissue formation after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) may adversely affect the diastolic properties of the left atrium (LA), which can result in a stiff LA physiology in a small proportion of patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between diabetes mellitus and a stiff LA physiology after AF catheter ablation (AFCA). Methods A total of 1,326 patients who underwent de novo AFCA, and baseline and 1-year follow-up echocardiographies were enrolled. After 1:3 propensity score (PS) matching for age, sex, and AF type, we compared 211 patients with DM with 633 patients without DM. A stiff LA physiology was defined as estimated pulmonary arterial pressure increase of >10 mmHg and a right ventricular systolic pressure of >35 mmHg at 1-year follow-up echocardiography. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was estimated using echocardiographic parameters. Results Among the 844 PS-matched patients, a stiff LA physiology was observed in 32 patients (4.1%). The patients with DM showed a higher peak LA pressure ( p < 0.001) and greater LA wall stress ( p = 0.001) than did those without. A stiff LA physiology was independently associated with DM [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-5.59, p = 0.045], empirical extra-pulmonary vein LA ablation (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.07–9.3, p = 0.038) and the ΔPVR (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.37–2.31, p < 0.001). The ΔPVR was independently associated with DM (β = 0.37, 95% CI 0.06-0.67, p = 0.020) and a stiff LA physiology (β = 1.40, 95% CI 0.70–2.10, p < 0.001). During the 38.8 ± 29.3months follow-up, the incidence of the clinical recurrence of AF was significantly higher in the patients with a stiff LA physiology than in those without (log rank p = 0.032). Conclusion A stiff LA physiology was independently associated with DM because of the relatively small decrease in the PVR after AFCA in this population. The patients with a stiff LA physiology had worse rhythm outcomes after AFCA than those without.