Left Atrial Volume Index Predicts Arrhythmia-Free Survival in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cryoballoon Ablation

• Published in: Journal of atrial fibrillation 2019-08, Vol.12 (2), p.2192-2192
• Main Authors: J Albano, Alfred, Bush, Jared, L Parker, Jessica, Corner, Kristin, W Lim, Hae, P Brunner, Michael, I Dahu, Musa, Dandamudi, Sanjay, Elmouchi, Darryl, Gauri, Andre, Woelfel, Alan, Chalfoun, Nagib T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 1941-6911; 1941-6911
• DOI: 10.4022/jafib.2192

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon ablation (PVI-C) is increasingly performed as a first-line strategy for the treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF); however, follow-up data and predictors of procedural success are lacking. To study the efficacy of PVI-C in patients with PersAF, focusing on predictors of procedural success. By retrospective review, 148 consecutive patients with PersAF who underwent PVI-C were analyzed. The impact of several variables on outcome was evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models. After a mean follow-up of 19.2±10.9 months, 75 (50.7%) patients remained arrhythmia-free without the need for antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Patients with a normal left atrial volume index (LAVI) achieved a 71.0% arrhythmia-free survival. LAVI was the most powerful predictor of procedural success. Arrhythmia-free survival after PVI-C in select patients with PersAF are promising. Moreover, LAVI is a valuable measurement to help guide ablation strategy and predict outcome when using cryoballoon ablation.