Fate of Left Atrial Function as Determined by Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Study After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology 2008-05, Vol.101 (9), p.1285-1290
• Main Authors: Delgado, Victoria, MD, Vidal, Bàrbara, MD, Sitges, Marta, MD, PhD, Tamborero, David, MSc, Mont, Lluís, MD, PhD, Berruezo, Antonio, MD, Azqueta, Manuel, MD, Paré, Carles, MD, PhD, Brugada, Josep, MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atrial Fibrillation - diagnostic imaging; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; Atrial Function, Left - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular system; Catheter Ablation; Catheters; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; Female; Heart; Heart surgery; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Linear Models; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other treatments; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Reproducibility of Results; Studies; Treatment Outcome; Treatment. General aspects; Tumors; Ultrasonic investigative techniques
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.12.028

Radiofrequency catheter ablation has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. However, its impact on left atrial (LA) function has not been widely studied. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation on LA function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Thirty-eight patients with symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation were treated with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA). LA volumes and function were assessed with real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography before and 6 months after the procedure. The effectiveness of CPVA was evaluated at 6-month follow-up. Recurrence of the arrhythmia was defined as any documented (clinically or on 24-hour Holter electrocardiography) atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting >30 seconds after the first 12 weeks after the procedure. CPVA induced a reduction of maximum LA volume (from 55 ± 15 to 48 ± 16 ml, p