This article has been peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance.It is an open access article, which means that it can be downloaded, printed, and distributed freely, provided the work is properly cited. Articles in "Cardiology Journal" are listed in PubMed.
Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmias. Treatment options apart from medication include interventional catheter-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, there is limited knowledge about factors predicting arrhythmia recurrence after PVI. Aim To study the association of 3-dimensional (3D) left atrial (LA) strain (LAS) and 3D electro-anatomical voltage mapping (EAVM) with early recurrence of AF after PVI. Methods In this prospective single center study, 93 patients undergoing PVI were enrolled between December 2018 and October 2021. All patients underwent an echocardiographic examination within two weeks before PVI using the Canon Aplio i900 system to analyse LAS from 3D LA volume. A 3D EAVM was obtained using high-density mapping catheters during PVI. The CARTO 3 system (Version V6-V7) was used for determining LA scar area by low voltage mapping (local amplitude <0.5 mV) indicated as percentage (EAVM-%). Follow-up time points were set at 2, 3, 6 and 12 months to investigate recurrence of AF, with exclusion of events occurring during the first two months (blanking phase). Results During follow-up, 12 out of 93 patients experienced recurrence of AF (12.9%; AF-Group). Baseline characteristics did not differ between AF-Group and Non-AF-Group. In contrast, LAS was significantly impaired in the AF-Group (median −4.6, IQR [−5.6 to −3.6]) when compared to the Non-AF-Group (−6.2 [−8.3 to −4.5]; p=0.009). The EAVM-% did not differ between the groups (AF-Group: 5.0 [1.5 to 21.5]; Non-AF-Group: 4.4 [1.5 to 15.9]; p=0.710). No significant correlations were found between LAS and EAVM-% (r=0.03, p=0.812). A cut-off value of −5.89% for LAS had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 57% for AF recurrence (AUC=70%; p<0.001). Kaplan Meier curves for event-free survival were generated based on the LAS cut-off demonstrating excellent differentiation of those with and without AF recurrence (p<0.001; see figure). Furthermore, LAS was associated with an increased risk of early AF recurrence (HR 1.40, IQR [1.02–1.92], p=0.040), while EAVM-% was not (HR 0.99 [0.95–1.04], p=0.787). Conclusion 3D LAS was associated with an increased risk of early AF recurrence after PVI, while EAVM-% was not. 3D LAS might be used for identifying patients who would benefit from PVI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
Aims: Association of two-(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) left atrial strain (LAS) and low-voltage area (LVA) with recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was assessed. Methods and results: 3D LAS, 2D LAS, and LVA were obtained in 93 consecutive patients undergoing PVI and recurrence of AF was analyzed prospectively. AF recurred in 12 patients (13%). The 3D left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) and pump strain (LAPS) were lower in patients with recurrent AF than without (p = 0.008 and p = 0.009, respectively). In univariable Cox regression, 3D LARS or LAPS were associated with recurrent AF (LARS: HR = 0.89 (0.81–0.99), p = 0.025; LAPS: HR = 1.40 (1.02–1.92), p = 0.040), while other values were not. Association of 3D LARS or LAPS with recurrent AF was independent of age, body mass index, arterial hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction, and end-diastolic volume index and left atrial volume index in multivariable models. Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that patients with 3D LAPS < −5.9% did not exhibit recurrent AF, while those >−5.9% had a significant risk of recurrent AF. Conclusions: 3D LARS and LAPS were associated with recurrent AF after PVI. Association of 3D LAS was independent of relevant clinical and echocardiographic parameters and improved their predictive value. Hence, they may be applied for outcome prediction in patients undergoing PVI.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.