Higher coronary artery calcium score is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography 2023-01, Vol.17 (1), p.22-27
• Main Authors: Lopes Fernandes, Sara, Ladeiras-Lopes, Ricardo, Silva, Mariana, Silva, Gualter, Cruz, Inês, Diaz, Sílvia O., Barros, António S., Saraiva, Francisca, Faria, Rita, Almeida, João, Fonseca, Paulo, Gonçalves, Helena, Oliveira, Marco, Ferreira, Nuno, Primo, João, Fontes-Carvalho, Ricardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial fibrillation recurrence; Calcium; Cardiac computed tomography; Catheter ablation; Catheter Ablation - adverse effects; Coronary artery calcium score; Coronary Vessels; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Opportunistic screening; Predictive Value of Tests; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1934-5925; 1876-861X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2022.10.002

Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) development, but scarce data are available regarding the impact on AF recurrence. This study aims to assess the impact of CACS on AF recurrence following catheter ablation. Retrospective study of patients with AF undergoing cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before ablation (2017–2019). Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), significant valvular heart disease and previous catheter ablation were excluded. A cut-off of CACS ≥ 100 was used according to literature. A total of 311 patients were included (median age 57 [48, 64] years, 65% men and 21% with persistent AF). More than half of the patients had a CACS > 0 (52%) and 18% a CACS ≥ 100. Patients with CACS ≥ 100 were older (64 [59, 69] vs 55 [46, 63] years, p ​