Value of Left Atrial Appendage Function Measured by Transesophageal Echocardiography for Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
Sabina Istratoaie,
Ștefan C. Vesa,
Gabriel Cismaru,
Dana Pop,
Radu Roșu,
Mihai Puiu,
Diana Pepine,
Cristina Ciobanu,
Ioan A. Minciuna,
Gelu Simu,
Dumitru Zdrenghea,
Anca D. Buzoianu
Affiliations
Sabina Istratoaie
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ștefan C. Vesa
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gabriel Cismaru
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dana Pop
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Radu Roșu
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mihai Puiu
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Diana Pepine
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristina Ciobanu
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioan A. Minciuna
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gelu Simu
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dumitru Zdrenghea
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Anca D. Buzoianu
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) remains a challenging issue. This study aims to explore the left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and assess its value in predicting AF recurrence following RFCA in paroxysmal AF patients. Eighty-one patients with paroxysmal AF that underwent RFCA were recruited. TEE was performed before ablation with the assessment of left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity (LAAeV). AF recurrence occurred in 24 patients (29.6%) within 12 months after RFCA. The left atrium diameter (LAD) and left atrium volume index (LAVI) were both significantly higher in the recurrence group compared to the non-recurrence group, while the LAAeV was significantly lower in the recurrence group. LAD, LAVi and LAAeV were univariately significant risk factors for AF recurrence after ablation. Based on receiver operating curve (ROC), LAAeV 40.5 mL and LAD > 41 mm were identified as cut-off values for predicting AF recurrence. In multivariate regression analysis LAAeV p 40.5 mL and LAD > 41 mm (p = 0.319; p = 0.507, respectively). A low LAAeV was the only important independent predictor of AF recurrence within 1 year after first RFCA.