Effect of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation on left and right atrial function

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the effect of catheter ablation on left (LA) and right atria (RA) function in patients with atrial fibrillation.Material and methods. The study included 28 patients (14 men and 14 women) aged 33 to 72 years (mean age, 57,7±9,9 years) with paroxysmal (n=23) and persistent AF (n=5). All patients underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with pulmonary vein antrum isolation. Before ablation and 3 days after, transthoracic twodimensional echocardiography was performed in sinus rhythm with an assessment of LA reservoir, conduit and booster pump function and RA peak longitudinal strain.Results. In the studied patients, a significant decrease in the reservoir, conduit and booster pump function of the LA was revealed after RFA, while there was no significant change in RA peak longitudinal strain after catheter ablation. LA reservoir, conduit and booster pump function decreased by 6,45% (p<0,001), 3,59% (p<0,001), 2,85% (p<0,001), respectively, while RA peak longitudinal strain increased by 0,73% (p=0,43).Conclusion. Catheter ablation has a significant damaging effect on the LA tissue, inhibiting the reservoir, pumping and pipeline functions. At the same time, the contractility of the PP in the early postoperative period improves, but not significantly.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• catheter ablation
• left atrium
• right atrium
• atrial fibrosis
• speckle tracking