Key result
Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation was associated with reduced pulmonary vein dimensions, though left atrial volume reduction between groups was not significant (118 vs 133 ml, p=0.15).
Why the study?
It is unclear whether pulmonary vein size reduction after radiofrequency ablation in atrial fibrillation patients reflects true pulmonary vein stenosis or is secondary to left atrial volume reduction.
Cohort (n=100)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 118% vs 133%
p-value: p=0.15
May warrant pulmonary vein monitoring post-ablation; leaves open whether left atrial remodeling differs from controls.
INTRODUCTION: Restoration of normal sinus rhythm by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients can result in a reduction of left atrial (LA) volume and pulmonary vein (PV) dimensions. It is not clear if this PV size reduction represents a secondary effect of overall LA volume reduction or true PV stenosis. We assessed the relationship between LA volume reduction and PV orifice area pre- and post-RFA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital. Pre- and post-RFA cardiac computed tomography (CT) studies of 100 consecutive AF patients were reviewed. Studies identifying obvious segmental PV narrowing were excluded. Left atrial volumes and PV orifice cross-sectional areas (PVOCA) were measured using proprietary software from the CT scanner vendor (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI). RESULTS: , p = 0.04) but reduction in LA volume between groups was not significant (118 ± 42 vs. 133 ± 54 ml, p=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that both PV orifice dimensions and LA volume are reduced after successful AF ablation. These data warrant a reassessment of criteria for diagnosing PV stenosis based on changes in PV caliber alone, ideally incorporating LA volume changes.
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Jazayeri et al. (2017) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=100). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) vs. Pre-RFA (baseline) was evaluated on Left atrial volume (p=0.15). Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation was associated with reduced pulmonary vein dimensions, though left atrial volume reduction between groups was not significant (118 vs 133 ml, p=0.15).
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