Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Reduced left atrial strain from 4-dimensional computed tomography predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation
Authors' conclusion
Patient subgroups display different spatial patterns of LA strain. Regional LA strain analysis adds independent predictive power to models of AF recurrence after thermal catheter ablation. Weak inferior wall motion preablation is particularly associated with poor ablation outcome.
Study context
- Population
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with preablation 4DCT undergoing catheter ablation
- Participants
- 261 patients
- Exposure
- Demographic and clinical features plus 24-segment regional left atrium (LA) strain vs demographic and clinical features alone
- Outcome
- Prediction of AF recurrence (AUC)
- Follow-up
- Within 12 months after ablation
Methodological detailssingle-centre, machine learning prediction model
- Single-centre
- Machine learning prediction model
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
AUC to predict AF recurrence (random forest models)
| Group | AUC |
|---|---|
| Clinical + strain | 0.813 |
| Clinical | 0.738 |
AUC
Clinical + strain0.813
Clinical0.738
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Inferior wall strain and ablation outcome
- Low inferior wall strain among features most significantly correlated with poor ablation outcome
- P < 0.01
Regional strain by AF type and ablation history (subgroups)
- Reduced regional strain in persistent vs paroxysmal AF, and in previous ablations vs first-time ablation candidates
- P < 0.01
Original publication
Reduced left atrial strain from 4-dimensional computed tomography predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation. Heart Rhythm. Published 16 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →