Baseline lipid profile and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation ablation: a multicenter study from the United States and Japan

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Atrial fibrillation (n=285). Intervention: Baseline LDL 100 mg/dL. Primary outcome: Atrial arrhythmia recurrence between the end of the 3-month blanking period and 12 months after ablation (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.85).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Lower baseline low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels are independently associated with reduced odds of atrial arrhythmia recurrence following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the association between pre-procedural baseline lipid profiles and atrial arrhythmia recurrence following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Jack Tiahnybik; Hisaki Makimoto; Masashi Kamioka; Tanyanan Tanawuttiwat; Tomonori Watanabe; MIthilesh Das; Yasushi Imai; John Miller; Kazuomi Kario; Takeki Suzuki

doi:10.1186/s12872-026-06586-y

September 15, 2026BMC Cardiovascular DisordersOpen Access

Baseline lipid profile and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation ablation: a multicenter study from the United States and Japan

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key result

Baseline LDL <70 mg/dL is linked to ~74% lower odds of post-ablation AF recurrence.

OR 0.26
95% CI 0.08-0.85
n=285

Why the study?

The relationship between baseline lipid profile and post-ablation atrial arrhythmia recurrence remains unclear.

Does lower baseline LDL (<70 mg/dL) or total cholesterol (<141 mg/dL) reduce atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?

Key Points

To examine the association between pre-procedural baseline lipid profiles and atrial arrhythmia recurrence following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Retrospective multicenter cohort of 285 patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation across two tertiary care centers in the U.S. and Japan (mean age 63.6 years, 64% male).
Baseline lipid panels were measured within 24 months prior to ablation, and documented recurrence (atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia lasting ≥30 seconds) was evaluated from 3 to 12 months post-ablation.
Multivariable logistic regression and parsimonious models were used to adjust for demographics, clinical risk factors, antiarrhythmic medications, and statin therapy.
Documented atrial arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 52 of 285 patients (18.2%) between the end of the 3-month blanking period and 12 months post-ablation.
Patients with baseline LDL <70 mg/dL had significantly lower odds of recurrence (fully adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08–0.85), as did those with total cholesterol <141 mg/dL (fully adjusted OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07–0.82).
Analyzed as a continuous variable, each 1 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol was associated with higher odds of arrhythmia recurrence in both unadjusted (OR 1.009, 95% CI 1.002–1.017) and fully adjusted models (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.002–1.023).

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=285)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does lower baseline LDL (<70 mg/dL) or total cholesterol (<141 mg/dL) reduce atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?

P

Population

285 patients (mean age 63.6, 36% female) who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation with a baseline lipid profile and 1-year follow-up.

E

Exposure

Baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) <70 mg/dL or total cholesterol (TC) <141 mg/dL

C

Comparator

Higher baseline lipid levels (LDL >100 mg/dL or TC >169 mg/dL)

O

Outcome

Atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence, defined as having a 12-lead electrocardiogram, or a Holter monitor or device recording of AF or atrial tachycardia lasting at least 30 seconds, assessed after the 3-month blanking period through 12 months after ablationhard clinical

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 0.26 (95% CI 0.08–0.85)

Limitations

Retrospective cohort study susceptible to selection bias and residual confounding
Low event count and number of covariates may lead to overfitted models yielding unstable estimates
Subgroup analyses were exploratory and limited by low event rates
Differences in AF ablation success attributable to operator variability and energy source
Long-term association beyond one year could not be evaluated
Post-ablation rhythm monitoring was heterogeneous across patients and centers
Lipid panels were obtained up to 24 months prior to ablation and could have changed
Lack of data on statin therapy intensity, adherence, or duration
Left atrial volume and left ventricular ejection fraction were not included in the analysis
Retrospective, observational design cannot establish causality
Small number of African American patients
Sparse events (52 recurrences) raising concern for model overfitting
Subgroup analyses could not be reliably estimated due to sparse events

Implication

Lower baseline LDL (<70 mg/dL) and total cholesterol (<141 mg/dL) are associated with significantly reduced odds of atrial arrhythmia recurrence following atrial fibrillation ablation.

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia (HLD) is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and may influence atrial remodeling and arrhythmia recurrence following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, the relationship between baseline lipid profile and post-ablation atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence remains unclear. We retrospectively examined patients who underwent AF ablation at two tertiary care centers in the U.S. and Japan. Patients with a lipid profile obtained within 24 months prior to AF ablation and a one-year post-ablation follow-up were included. AA recurrence was defined as having a 12-lead electrocardiogram, or a Holter monitor or device recording of AF or atrial tachycardia lasting at least 30 seconds. This was assessed after the 3-month blanking period through 12 months after ablation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association of lipid profiles with AA recurrence. To address concerns about overfitting, a parsimonious model was constructed that limit covariates based on clinical relevance and established associations with AA recurrence. Among 285 patients (mean age (standard deviation), 63.6 (10.5) years, 64% male), 52 patients (18.2%) had documented AA recurrence between the end of the 3-month blanking period and 12 months after ablation. Patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) <70 mg/dL or total cholesterol <141 mg/dL had lower odds of AA recurrence in unadjusted analysis. These associations remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, race (white vs others), institution, statin use, current smoking, alcohol use, traditional AF risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea), type of AF (paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and long-standing persistent AF), beta-blocker use, calcium channel blocker use, digoxin use, and antiarrhythmic drug use (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 0.26 [0.08 – 0.85] and 0.24 [0.07 – 0.82], respectively). These findings were consistent in the parsimonious model. In this international registry, lower baseline LDL and total cholesterol levels were associated with reduced odds of AA recurrence. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Tiahnybik et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=285). Baseline LDL <70 mg/dL vs. Baseline LDL >100 mg/dL was evaluated on Atrial arrhythmia recurrence between the end of the 3-month blanking period and 12 months after ablation (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.85). In patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation, baseline LDL <70 mg/dL was associated with significantly lower odds of atrial arrhythmia recurrence compared to LDL >100 mg/dL (OR 0.26).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb73d5f706d05830e61a4 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-026-06586-y

Topics

Atrial fibrillation

Persistent AF management

AF ablation outcomes

Anticoagulation in AF

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Baseline lipid profile and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation ablation: a multicenter study from the United States and Japan

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Topics

Baseline lipid profile and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation ablation: a multicenter study from the United States and Japan

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Topics

Keep reading