Dataset Information

Incremental value of left atrial strain to predict atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon ablation

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence occurs in approximately 25% of the patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation (CBA), leading to repeated ablations and complications. Left atrial (LA) dilation has been proposed as a predictor of AF recurrence. However, LA strain is a surrogate marker of LA mechanical dysfunction, which might appear before the enlargement of the LA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the additional predictive value of LA function assessed using strain echocardiography for AF recurrence after CBA.

Methods

172 consecutive patients (62.2 ± 12.2 years, 61% male) were prospectively analyzed. Echocardiography was performed before CBA. Blanking period was defined as the first three months post-ablation. The primary endpoint was AF recurrence after the blanking period.

Results

50 (29%) patients had AF recurrence. In the overall study population, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) ≤ 17% had the highest incremental predictive value for AF recurrence (HR = 9.45, 95%CI: 3.17–28.13, p < 0.001). In patients with non-dilated LA, PALS≤17% remained an independent predictor of AF recurrence (HR = 5.39, 95%CI: 1.66–17.52, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

This study showed that LA function assessed by PALS provided an additional predictive value for AF recurrence after CBA, over LA enlargement. In patients with non—dilated LA, PALS also predicted AF recurrence. These findings emphasize the added value of LA strain, suggesting that it should be implemented in the systematic evaluation of AF patients before CBA.

SUBMITTER: Motoc A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8604362 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a progressive condition, which is characterized by inflammation/fibrosis of left atrial (LA) wall, an increase in the LA size/volumes, and decrease in LA function. We sought to investigate the relationship of anatomical and functional parameters obtained by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), with AF recurrence in paroxysmal AF (pAF) patients after catheter ablation.MethodsWe studied 80 consecutive pAF patients referred for ablation, between January 2014 and December 2019, who underwent pre- and post-ablation CMR while in sinus rhythm. LA volumes were measured using the area-length method and included maximum, minimum, and pre-atrial-contraction volumes. CMR-derived LA reservoir strain (ℇR), conduit strain (ℇCD), and contractile strain (ℇCT) were measured by computer assisted manual planimetry. We used a multivariate logistical regression to estimate the independent predictors of AF recurrence after ablation.ResultsMean age was 58.6 ± 9.4 years, 75% men, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 1.7, 36% had prior cardioversion and 51% were taking antiarrhythmic drugs. Patients were followed for a median of 4 years (Q1-Q3 = 2.5-6.2 years). Of the 80 patients, 21 (26.3%) patients had AF recurrence after ablation. There were no significant differences between AF recurrence vs. no recurrence groups in age, gender, CHA2DS2-VASc score, or baseline comorbidities. At baseline, patients with AF recurrence compared to without recurrence had lower LV end systolic volume index (32 ± 7 vs 37 ± 11 mL/m2; p = 0.045) and lower ℇCT (7.1 ± 4.6 vs 9.1 ± 3.7; p = 0.05). Post-ablation, patients with AF recurrence had higher LA minimum volume (68 ± 32 vs 55 ± 23; p = 0.05), right atrial volume index (62 ± 20 vs 52 ± 19 mL/m2; p = 0.04) and lower LA active ejection fraction (24 ± 8 vs 29 ± 11; p = 0.05), LA total ejection fraction (39 ± 14 vs 46 ± 12; p = 0.02), LA expansion index (73.6 ± 37.5 vs 94.7 ± 37.1; p = 0.03) and ℇCT (6.2 ± 2.9 vs 7.3 ± 1.7; p = 0.04). Adjusting for clinical variables in the multivariate logistic regression model, post-ablation minimum LA volume (OR 1.09; CI 1.02-1.16), LA expansion index (OR 0.98; CI 0.96-0.99), and baseline ℇR (OR 0.92; CI 0.85-0.99) were independently associated with AF recurrence.ConclusionSignificant changes in LA volumes and strain parameters occur after AF ablation. CMR derived baseline ℇR, post-ablation minimum LAV, and expansion index are independently associated with AF recurrence.

Project description:BackgroundLeft atrial (LA) function following catheter or surgical ablation of de-novo long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and its impact on AF recurrence was studied in patients participating in the CASA-AF trial (Catheter Ablation vs. Thoracoscopic Surgical Ablation in Long Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation).MethodsAll patients underwent echocardiography preablation, 3 and 12 months post-ablation. LA structure and function were assessed by 2-dimensional volume and speckle tracking strain measurements of LA reservoir, conduit, and contractile strain. Left ventricular diastolic function was measured using transmitral Doppler filling velocities and myocardial tissue Doppler velocities to derive the e', E/e', and E/A ratios. Continuous rhythm monitoring was achieved using an implantable loop recorder.ResultsEighty-three patients had echocardiographic data suitable for analysis. Their mean age was 63.6±9.7 years, 73.5% were male, had AF for 22.8±11.6 months, and had a mean LA maximum volume of 48.8±13.8 mL/m2. Thirty patients maintained sinus rhythm, and 53 developed AF recurrence. Ablation led to similar reductions in LA volumes at follow-up in both rhythm groups. However, higher LA emptying fraction (36.3±10.6% versus 27.9±9.9%; P<0.001), reservoir strain (22.6±8.5% versus 16.7±5.7%; P=0.001), and contractile strain (9.2±3.4% versus 5.6±2.5%; P<0.001) were noted in the sinus rhythm compared with AF recurrence group following ablation at 3 months. Diastolic function was better in the sinus rhythm compared with the AF recurrence group with an E/A ratio of 1.5±0.5 versus 2.2±1.2 (P<0.001) and left ventricular E/e' ratio of 8.0±2.1 versus 10.3±4.1 (P<0.001), respectively. LA contractile strain at 3 months was the only independent predictor of AF recurrence.ConclusionsFollowing ablation for long-standing persistent AF, improvement in LA function was greater in those who maintained sinus rhythm. LA contractile strain at 3 months was the most important determinant of AF recurrence following ablation.RegistrationURL: https://www.Clinicaltrialsgov; Unique identifier: NCT02755688.