Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Ablation

Abstract

Aim:The current study aimed to investigate the predictors of recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cryoballoon ablation.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted with the participation of the patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation between October 2013 and March 2016. Patients’ medical records were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups as those with AF recurrence and those without AF recurrence.Results:A total of 68 patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 57.3±12 years, and 32% were male. Concomitant conditions included coronary artery disease in 25 patients (36.8%), diabetes mellitus in 9 (13.2%), hypertension in 46 (67.6%), and history of cerebrovascular event in 3 (4.4%). During the early period involving the initial three months, AF recurrence was found in 16 patients (23.5%), while 52 (76.5%) remained in the sinus rhythm during the follow-up. There were significant differences between two groups in left atrium size (38±5.3 and 44±6.6, p=0.003), left atrial appendage (LAA) flow rate [38 (24-62) cm/sec and 28 (22-55) cm/sec, p=0.001], presence of pulmonary venous anomaly [5 (9.6%) and 6 (37.5%), p=0.016], the number of antiarrhythmic drugs before the ablation (1.78±0.7 and 2.43±0.5, p=0.002), interventricular septal thickness (11±1.7 mm and 12±1.47 mm, p=0.008), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (11±0.9 mm and 12±1.3 mm, p=0.007), and left ventricular mass (195±51 g and 181±37.9 g, p=0.028).Conclusion:According to the results, AF recurrence after ablation was found to be associated with the use of multiple antiarrhythmic drugs before the ablation, increased left atrial diameter, the reduced flow rate in the LAA, presence of a pulmonary venous anomaly, increased interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, and left ventricular mass.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• cryoballoon ablation
• pulmonary vein isolation
• left atrium