Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Right atrial function and fibrosis in relation to successful atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors' conclusion
This study shows that RA remodelling parameters were not predictive of AF recurrence after AF ablation. Bi-atrial fibrotic remodelling is present in patients with AF and moreover, the amount of LA fibrosis had a strong correlation with the amount of RA fibrosis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing initial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), in sinus rhythm during pre-ablation cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)
- Participants
- 110 patients
- Exposure
- AF recurrence vs no AF recurrence after PVI
- AF recurrencen = 39
- Outcome
- Association of RA remodelling (volumes, function, fibrosis on CMR) with AF recurrence after ablation
- Follow-up
- 12 months after PVI
Methodological detailsAF recurrence followed by 12-lead ECG or Holter monitoring; fibrosis from 3D late gadolinium enhancement
- AF recurrence followed by 12-lead ECG or Holter monitoring; fibrosis from 3D late gadolinium enhancement
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
RA remodelling parameters vs AF recurrence · 12 months
- Right atrial (RA) remodelling parameters not significantly different between patients with and without AF recurrence
- Left atrial (LA) remodelling parameters (volume, emptying fraction, strain indices) different between patients with and without AF recurrence
- LA and RA fibrosis not different between patients with and without AF recurrence
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- AF recurrence after 90-day blanking period · 12 months
- 36% · 39
- AF recurrence after 90-day blanking period — Median time to recurrence
- 181 (IQR 122-286) days
Correlation of LA fibrosis with RA fibrosis
- Correlation coefficient r
- 0.88, P < 0.001
Original publication
Right atrial function and fibrosis in relation to successful atrial fibrillation ablation. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 3 August 2022. doi:10.
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