Left atrial volume is a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation

Abstract

Background: Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is not uncommon, and the predictors of AF recurrence are not completely understood. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with AF recurrence after RFCA.

Methods and results: Sixty-eight patients with AF who had undergone RFCA were enrolled. Echocardiographic parameters, including the size of the left ventricle and both atria, left ventricular and left atrial function, and clinical parameters were assessed. Six months after RFCA, 53 (78%) of the 68 patients were free of AF and 15 patients showed AF recurrence. Patients without AF recurrence had a greater frequency of paroxysmal AF compared with patients with recurrence (P = .04). Left atrial volume (P = .00) and right atrial volume (P = .01) were associated with AF recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that left atrial volume was the only predictor of AF recurrence after RFCA (P = .01). Left atrial volume of 34 mL/m(2) showed a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 91% to predict AF recurrence.

Conclusion: Left atrial volume could be used as a predictor of AF recurrence after RFCA. Left atrial volume of 34 mL/m(2) had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 91% for the prediction.