Sinus rhythm heart rate increase after atrial fibrillation ablation is associated with lower risk of arrhythmia recurrence

• Published in: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology 2021-04, Vol.44 (4), p.651-656
• Main Authors: Killu, Ammar M., Witt, Chance M., Sugrue, Alan M., Vaidya, Vaibhav, Monahan, Kristi H., Barnes, Stephanie, Lenz, Charles J., Yogeswaran, Vidhushei, Sun, Philip Y., Hodge, David O., Friedman, Paul A., Packer, Douglas L., Asirvatham, Samuel J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ablation; Adult; Arrhythmia; atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; autonomic; Cardiac arrhythmia; Catheter Ablation; Child; EKG; Female; Fibrillation; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; pulmonary vein isolation; Pulmonary Veins - surgery; Recurrence; Sinuses
• ISSN: 0147-8389; 1540-8159
• DOI: 10.1111/pace.14197

Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with autonomic modulation may be more successful than PVI alone for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and may be signaled by changes in sinus rhythm heart rate (HR) post ablation. We sought to determine if a change in sinus rhythm HR predicted AF recurrence post PVI. Methods Patients who underwent AF ablation from 2000 to 2011 were included if sinus rhythm was noted on ECG within 90 days pre and 7 days post ablation. Basic ECG interval and HR changes were analyzed and outcomes determined. Results A total of 1152 patients were identified (74.3% male, mean age 57 ± 11 years). Mean AF duration was 5.2 ± 5.3 years. Paroxysmal AF was noted in 712 (61.8%) of the patients. Mean EF was 61% ± 6%. Sinus rhythm HR was 61 ± 11 pre‐ablation and 76 ± 13 bpm post‐ablation (27% ± 24% increase, p