单核细胞与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值对射频消融术后晚期心房颤动复发的预测价值

目的探讨单核细胞/HDL-C比值(MHR)对老年阵发性心房颤动(房颤)患者射频消融术后晚期复发的预测价值。方法纳入江苏省苏北人民医院行导管射频消融术的老年阵发性房颤患者82例,根据消融术3个月后房颤是否复发分为复发组31例和未复发组51例,收集入选患者术前临床资料,采用logistic回归分析术后复发的影响因素。结果老年阵发性房颤行射频消融术患者术后晚期复发率为37.8%,复发组房颤病程、单核细胞、MHR及左心房内径明显高于未复发组,HDL-C明显低于未复发组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。logistic回归分析显示,校正相关因素后,左心房内径和MHR是阵发性房颤射频消融术后晚期复发的独立危险因素(OR=1.280,95%CI:1.079～1.518,P=0.005;OR=1.482,95%CI:1.153～1.906,P=0.002)。ROC曲线分析显示,MHR预测阵发性房颤射频消融术后晚期复发的曲线下面积为0.76(95%CI:0.650～0.870,P=0.000)。结论 MHR是老年阵发性房颤患者射频消融术后晚期复发的独立预测因素。     

左心房三维结构对老年心房颤动导管射频消融术后影响的研究

目的探讨左心房三维结构与心房颤动(房颤)类型以及导管射频消融术后房颤复发的相关性。方法采用回顾性研究方法,选取接受房颤导管射频消融治疗的115例患者,分为阵发性房颤组75例、持续性房颤组25例和长期持续性房颤组15例;另选择同期入院的无房颤患者25例作为对照组。术前采用64层螺旋CT扫描,测量左心房容积(LAV)和左心房前容积(LA-Ant)/LAV比值,并进行术后随访。结果与对照组比较,阵发性房颤组LAV、左心耳、LA-Ant、左心房后容积(LA-post)和LA-Ant/LAV比值明显升高(P<0.05);与阵发性房颤组比较,持续性房颤组LAV、LA-Ant、LA-post明显升高(P<0.05);多变量分析显示,LAV(OR=0.965,95%CI:0.937⁰.983,P=0.014)和LA-Ant/LAV比值(OR=0.885,95%CI:0.8210.983,P=0.014)和LA-Ant/LAV比值(OR=0.885,95%CI:0.821⁰.989,P=0.013)为房颤复发的预测指标。结论老年性房颤患者,LAV和左心房的不对称是房颤导管射频消融术后复发的预测因素。阵发性房颤、持续性房颤和长期持续性房颤具有左心房逐渐不规则扩张的趋势。     

增强心脏磁共振成像评估心房颤动患者射频消融术后左心房及肺静脉开口变化与术后复发的关系

目的:利用增强心脏磁共振成像评估心房颤动(房颤)患者环肺静脉前庭射频消融术后左心房容积及肺静脉开口最大横截面积变化并探讨其与房颤复发的相关性。方法:连续入选78例房颤患者(房颤组)和20例健康成年人(正常对照组)。房颤组分为阵发性房颤亚组(n=46)和持续性房颤亚组(n=32);其中共有66例行环肺静脉前庭隔离射频消融术,术后6个月随访时有17例复发(复发亚组),49例无复发(无复发亚组)。研究在入组时利用增强心脏磁共振成像对所有受试者测量了其各肺静脉开口最大横截面积,同时采用专门的心脏分析软件进行3D重建获得左心房容积,其中手术患者还在术后6个月时再次进行测量,以比较房颤组和正常对照组、阵发性房颤亚组和持续性房颤亚组、复发亚组和无复发亚组之差异及变化,并就此探讨与房颤复发的相关性。结果:与正常对照组相比,房颤组左心房容积、左右上肺静脉开口最大横截面积均显著增大(P均0.05);与阵发性房颤亚组相比,持续性房颤亚组左心房容积、左右上肺静脉开口最大横截面积均显著增大(P均0.05)。行射频消融术患者术后6个月与术前比较的亚组分析显示:无复发亚组(n=49)左右上肺静脉、右下肺静脉的开口最大横截面积以及左心房容积均显著减小(P均0.05),复发亚组(n=17)右上肺静脉术后显著扩张、左心房容积明显增大(P均0.05)。术后左心房容积的减小与左右上肺静脉开口最大横截面积的减小具有显著相关性,多因素Logistic分析显示,左心房容积(HR=1.05,P0.01)及右上肺静脉开口最大横截面积(HR=1.09,P=0.05)仍与房颤射频消融术后复发相关。结论:环肺静脉隔离射频消融术可逆转房颤患者左心房及肺静脉的重构,左心房及右上肺静脉开口最大横截面积与术后房颤复发相关。     

心房颤动射频消融术后左房容积及收缩功能改变对心房颤动复发的影响分析

目的对房颤患者采用射频消融术治疗,分析对其左心房容积结构及收缩功能的影响。方法选取2018年1月至2019年12月期间经本院确诊的房颤患者83例,均施以射频消融术治疗,术后随访6个月,若疾病复发则视为射频消融治疗失败(失败组),未复发则视为射频消融治疗成功(成功组),比较两组患者左心房容积结构及收缩功能情况。结果:所有患者均完成射频消融术治疗,且术后经6个月随访,其中有26例患者出现复发,复发率31.33%,57例治疗成功,成功率68.67%。术后6个月,治疗成功组左心房内径(LAD)、左房最大面积(LAAmax)及左房最大容积(LAVmax)均明显较术前降低,且明显低于失败组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者射频消融术后1d二尖瓣血流频谱A峰值流速(VA)、左房射血力(LAF)及舒张晚期峰值速度(Va)值均较术前下降(P0.05),且术后6个月成功组上述指标明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);失败组术后6个月上述指标未见升高,明显低于术前,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而成功组术后6个月上述指标与术前差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论射频消融术用于房颤患者治疗成功率较高,射频治疗成功后患者左房容积结构重塑逆转,术后早期可能导致患者左心房收缩功能下降,但不会对其左心房收缩功能造成长期损伤,是一种安全有效的治疗手段。     

右心房大小预测阵发性心房颤动合并左心房增大导管射频消融术后的复发

目的:左心房大小可以预测心房颤动(房颤)导管射频消融术后的复发。本研究旨在探讨右心房大小是否可以预测房颤射频消融术后复发。方法:纳入2009-01-2011-12在北京安贞医院行导管射频消融术的阵发性房颤患者共196例。阵发性房颤的消融策略为双侧环肺静脉隔离(PVI)。术后以常规心电图和动态心电图随访患者心律失常复发情况。运用回归分析方法甄别与心律失常复发相关的危险因素并检测其预测效力。结果:术后随访(25.3±18.1)个月,共有111例消融术后复发。右心房横径(RAD)和左心房内径(LAD,r=0.285,P0.001),左心室射血分数(r=-0.241,P=0.001)和左心室舒张末期内径(r=0.239,P=0.001)有关。多因素Cox回归分析显示RAD可以独立预测房颤合并LAD增大患者术后复发(HR 1.044,95%CI1.007~1.082,P=0.021)。其中RAD的截断值为35.5 mm时的预测敏感性为85.4%,特异性为29.2%。KaplanMeier分析两组的窦性心律维持率有显著性差别(Log Rank P=0.034)。结论:右心房增大可以独立预测阵发性房颤合并左心房增大患者的房颤术后远期复发。推测双心房参与房颤的发生与维持。     

心房颤动患者经导管射频消融术后不同时期左心房结构及功能的动态变化

目的:观察射频消融术对阵发性和持续性心房颤动(房颤)患者左心房结构和功能不同时期的影响。方法:临床诊断房颤的79名患者作为研究对象(阵发性房颤组65例、持续性房颤组14例),随访1年,行超声心动图检查监测左心房最大面积(左心房左右径×上下径)、左心房最大容积(LAVmax)、左心房最小容积(LAVmin)、左心房P容积(LAVp)等左心房结构指标,并通过左心房被动射血分数(LAPEF),左心房主动射血分数(LAAEF),左心房排空容积等指标探讨左心房功能的变化。体检非房颤人群22例作为对照组。全部数据采用SPSS17.0软件包进行统计学分析。结果:①消融术前检测显示:房颤组左心房最大面积、LAVmax、LAVmin均高于正常对照组(P0.05);并且持续性房颤组左心房增大更显著(P0.05)。房颤组LAAEF低于正常对照组(P0.05),其中持续性房颤组下降更明显(P0.05)。LAPEF及左心房排空容积各组间差异无统计学意义。②两组房颤患者术后左心房最大面积、LAVmax较术前均有变小(P0.05),但两者出现变化的时间点不同,阵发性房颤组在术后1年明显变小(P0.05),持续房颤组在术后近期就出现明显变小(P0.05)。两组LAAEF、LAPEF、排空容积等较术前均无显著性变化。③持续性房颤组左心房最大面积术后近期、中期变化率大于阵发性房颤组(P0.05),但至术后1年变化率两者差异无统计学意义。结论:经导管射频消融术能缩小房颤患者增大的左房结构,近、中期在持续性房颤患者更加显著;经导管射频消融术本身对左心房功能无明显影响。     

慢性心房颤动患者消融术后左心房和左心室结构远期变化

目的观察维持窦性心律(窦律)对慢性心房颤动(房颤)射频消融术后患者左心房和左心室结构的影响。方法入选38例慢性房颤行射频消融术的患者,分别于术前、术后1年行超声心动图检查,测量的超声心动图指标为左心房前后径、左心房上下径、左心房左右径、左心房最大容积、左心室舒张末内径、左心室收缩末内径,左心室射血分数,评估房颤有无复发对左心房及左心室重构的影响。结果 31例慢性房颤患者完成随访,随访时间为(13.45±1.46)个月,将其按消融效果分为复发组(15例)和非复发组(16例)。随访结果如下:(1)消融术前复发组与非复发组超声指标的基线资料比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)复发组术后12个月左心房前后径、左心房上下径、左心房左右径、左心房最大容积、左心室舒张末内径、左心室收缩末内径、左心室射血分数与术前比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);(3)非复发组消融术后12个月左心房前后径较术前减小[(38.73±3.77)mmvs.(41.86±4.73)mm,P0.01],左心房上下径较术前减小[(58.03±4.31)mmvs.(61.70±3.80)mm,P0.01],左心房左右径较术前减小[(43.93±6.06)mmvs.(46.08±6.62)mm,P0.01],左心房最大容积较术前减小[(75.78±22.27)mLvs.(83.18±24.29)mL,P0.01],左心室舒张末内径较术前减小[(45.85±4.98)mmvs.(48.26±5.36)mm,P0.01]、左心室收缩末内径较术前减小[(28.74±4.27)mmvs.(31.44±5.32)mm,P0.01],左心室射血分数较术前增加[68.03%±4.58%vs.62.75%±7.23%,P0.01],差异有统计学意义。结论维持窦律能使射频消融术后12个月的慢性房颤患者左心房及左心室逆向重构,左心室收缩功能改善。     

血清sST2联合左心房前后径对房颤射频消融术后复发的预测

摘要： 目的 探讨术前血清sST2浓度以及sST2联合左心房前后径（LAD）对房颤射频消融术后复发的预测价值。 方法 研究2019年2月至2019年10月间在我院心内科住院并且进行射频消融手术治疗的心房颤动患者84例患者,其中阵发性房颤57例,持续性房颤27例,男性48人,女性36人,平均年龄64.24±10.168岁。收集所有患者术前一般临床资料和血液学指标。采用ELISA法检测患者血清sST2浓度。心脏超声于收缩末期胸骨旁长轴切面测量左心房前后径。所有入选的房颤患者于消融术后3、6、12月定期随访。采用单因素和多因素Cox回归分析sST2联合LAD对房颤术后复发的预测价值。 结果 通过单因素COX回归及多因素COX回归模型,提示血清sST2（HR 1.014,95%CI 0.986-1.035, P=0.035）、LAD（HR 1.271,95%CI 0.946-1.378, P=0.036）是影响房颤复发的独立危险因素;sST2联合LAD预测房颤复发的能力进一步提升,ROC曲线下面积为0.907,灵敏度0.846,特异度0.894。 结论 术前检测血清sST2浓度以及sST2联合超声测量LAD可对房颤射频消融术后复发提供预测价值。     

导管消融术联合心腔内电复律治疗非阵发性心房颤动的远期复发因素研究

目的分析导管消融术联合心腔内电复律治疗非阵发性心房颤动(房颤)远期复发的影响因素。方法选取2009年1月至2014年12月上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院行多步骤递进式消融后,房颤仍未终止,术中再经静脉导管心腔内电复律法进行电复律的非阵发性房颤患者62例。随访12~48个月,对可能影响远期复发的因素进行分析。结果经导管消融术后持续房颤发作的所有非阵发性房颤患者,经静脉导管心腔内电复律治疗后均转复为窦性心律。根据是否远期复发,将患者分为复发组(26例)和未复发组(36例)。复发组患者的房颤病程显著长于未复发组[60(0.25,360)个月比24(0.25,120)个月,P=0.019],左心室重量指数[(150.16±34.48)g/m~2比(132.97±27.33)g/m~2,P=0.033]、左心房容积[(75.33±32.03)ml比(59.51±22.36)ml,P=0.025]、左心房容积指数[(40.70±15.81)ml/m~2比(32.21±12.76)ml/m~2,P=0.023]均显著高于未复发组,差异均有统计学意义。多因素回归分析显示,房颤病程是术后远期复发的独立危险因素(OR1.017,95%CI 1.003~1.032,P=0.017)。结论导管消融术联合经静脉导管心腔内电复律可将非阵发性房颤成功转复为窦性心律,房颤病程是患者远期复发的独立危险因素。     

中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值对阵发性心房颤动射频消融术后复发的预测价值

目的探讨外周血中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)与阵发性心房颤动(房颤)患者射频消融术后复发的关系。方法选取于湖北医药学院附属国药东风公司总医院行射频消融术的阵发性房颤患者127例。房颤复发定义为消融术3个月后,经心电图或24 h动态心电图证实快速房性心律失常的发作持续时间≥30 s。根据患者术前的血常规结果计算NLR值。结果平均随访时间为(10.9±3.2)个月,期间共38(29.9%)例患者术后复发。复发组患者的NLR水平显著高于未复发组[(3.57±0.71)vs.(2.61±0.36),P0.01]。多因素Logistic回归分析结果表明,房颤消融术前患者的NLR水平可独立预测术后复发(OR=2.35,95%CI:1.70~3.28,P0.01)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,NLR预测射频消融术后房颤复发的曲线下面积为0.86(95%CI:0.79~0.93,P0.01),其最佳预测截点3.42预测房颤复发的敏感性为72%,特异性为86%。结论阵发性房颤患者射频消融术前NLR水平与术后房颤复发密切相关,且高NLR水平是术后房颤复发的独立预测因素。     

戒酒对男性心房颤动患者射频消融术后复发的影响

目的 探讨戒酒对饮酒男性心房颤动（房颤）患者经导管射频消融（RFCA）治疗术后复发的影响。方法 回顾性连续入选2015年7月至2019年12月行RFCA治疗的男性饮酒房颤患者。收集病史资料和检查结果,以及术后18个月的戒酒情况及房颤随访结果。以Logistic回归分析房颤复发的危险因素。结果 共入选101例患者,术后31例（30.7%）复发。66例（65.3%）戒酒患者房颤复发率明显低于继续饮酒患者（22.7%比45.7%,P=0.017）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,非阵发性房颤（OR 17.414,95%CI 1.979～153.195,P=0.010）和高血压病（OR 3.638,95%CI 1.348～9.815,P=0.011）为房颤患者术后复发风险增高的独立预测因子,而戒酒为房颤患者术后复发风险降低的独立预测因子（OR 0.241,95%CI 0.088～0.660,P=0.006）。结论 戒酒为男性房颤患者RFCA术后复发风险降低的独立预测因子。     

One-stop procedure of “Atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation + left atrial appendage closure” guided by 3D printing technology: A case report

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a hot topic in clinical research in recent years. We report a 68-year-old female with a 3-year history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy and unable to tolerate anticoagulation therapy who underwent successful atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation combined with left atrial appendage occlusion guided by 3D printing technology. There was no recurrence of her atrial fibrillation and there was continued complete occlusion of her left atrial appendage at 3-month and 1-year follow-ups.This case supports the potential advantage of 3D printing technology to guide a “one-stop combined AF radiofrequency ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion procedure.” But whether it can improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients, further multi-center research and large data statistics are required.     

Late recurrent arrhythmias after ablation of atrial fibrillation: Incidence, mechanisms, and treatment

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of atrial flutter and other arrhythmia recurrences (other than atrial fibrillation [AF]) during long-term follow-up after left atrial substrate modification by percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of AF. BACKGROUND: RF ablation is an effective treatment for patients with AF. However, late recurrent arrhythmias may complicate the patient's course. METHODS: One hundred fifty consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF were included in this prospective study. The incidence of arrhythmia recurrences after AF ablation was analyzed during long-term follow-up using repetitive 7-day ECG recording. RESULTS: In 28 of 150 patients (18.7%), stable regular arrhythmias other than AF were detected during follow-up. Left atrial flutter observed in 10 patients (6.7%) was treated by recompletion of the ablation lines in all 10 patients. Left atrial flutter was associated with recurrence of AF in all 10 patients. Nine of 10 patients (90%) were free from atrial flutter and 6 of 10 patients were free from AF after the second intervention. Typical right atrial flutter occurred in 10 patients (6.7%) and was treated successfully by percutaneous RF ablation without recurrence in all patients. Additionally, atrial flutter was documented during follow-up in 7 patients (4.7%); however, invasive electrophysiologic evaluation was not performed due to various reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial flutter is a relevant complication after RF catheter ablation of AF and was always associated with AF recurrence in our study population. Prevention of left atrial flutter can be achieved by induction of ablation lines as continuous and transmural as possible. However, left atrial flutter that does occur late after ablation is amenable to interventional treatment with good prospects of success.     

心房颤动射频消融术后复发的相关危险因素研究

目的 分析心房颤动（房颤）导管射频消融术后复发患者的临床特点,探讨影响房颤患者术后复发的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析2008年2月至2012年2月在南方医科大学南方医院进行射频消融治疗的房颤复发患者124例的临床病历资料,将上述信息作为房颤患者术后复发的预测因素.采用x2检验和t检验进行单因素分析,在此基础上进一步采用多因素Logistic回归分析筛选影响房颤患者射频消融术后复发的独立危险因素.结果 本研究共纳入113例患者,射频消融术后随访时间（15.37＆#177;6.21）个月.33例（29.20％）患者出现早期复发,37例（32.74％）患者出现晚期复发.多因素Logistic回归分析显示,左心房直径变大（OR=1.190,95％CI：1.028～1.378,P=0.020）、体质量指数越大（OR=1.109,95％CI：1.001～1.212,P=O.009）、伴发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OR=1.239,95％CI：1.079～1.423,P=0.002）是房颤患者消融术后早期复发的危险因素;消融术中采用电复律（OR=1.937,95％CI：1.314～2.856,P=0.001）是晚期复发的危险因素.结论 房颤消融术后复发率较高,左心房内径、体质量指数、睡眠呼吸暂停综合征、术中电复律是患者术后复发的独立危险因素,加强术后患者的定期随访具有重要的临床价值.     

心房颤动射频消融术后晚期复发的相关因素

目的:分析心房颤动（房颤）经导管射频消融术后晚期复发的相关因素。方法:房颤患者117例接受经导管射频消融术治疗,术前进行常规检查评估,在CARTO三维标测系统指导下行左房环肺静脉消融,必要时加行左房线性消融、右房线性消融等策略。如果在消融结束后心电监护仍为房颤心律,则行体外电复律。通过术后随访（>3个月）确定房颤消融术后是否复发,收集相关的随访资料分析房颤术后晚期复发的预测因素。结果:①所有患者均完成环肺静脉隔离。58例患者在环肺静脉消融基础上加行左房线性消融、右房线性消融等方法。37例房颤患者在消融后房颤仍持续,经体外电转复均恢复窦律。32例(27.3%)患者在术后晚期复发。②单因素分析显示性别、并发器质性心脏病、房颤病程、持续性房颤、左房内径、左室射血分数和复律与术后房颤晚期复发相关（均P<0.05）。③经多因素分析后仅有性别、左房内径、房颤病程是房颤晚期复发的独立预测指标(分别P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:性别、房颤病程、左房内径是房颤导管消融术后晚期复发的独立预测因素。     

老年人先天性房间隔缺损外科治疗的体会

目的总结老年人房间隔缺损的手术及术后处理方法。方法对31例60～66岁继发孔型房间隔缺损患者进行手术治疗，19例同期处理三尖瓣病变，8例同期行射频消融治疗心房颤动（房颤），并与59例45～59岁的非老年患者比较，观察手术疗效。结果两组患者手术后全部存活，老年组8例行射频消融术，有效率87．5％，右心功能不全8例，治疗后好转；非老年组8例行射频消融术，有效率100．0％，右心功能不全2例，治疗后好转。结论年龄不是房间隔缺损手术的禁忌证，正确的术后处理、并存症的治疗和房颤治疗对预后有重要影响。     

CT定量评价左心耳解剖结构与心房颤动射频消融术后复发的相关性研究

目的:采用256层螺旋CT定量评价左心耳解剖结构与心房颤动(房颤)射频消融术后复发的关系。方法:研究纳入83例首次进行射频消融术的房颤患者,平均年龄(60.36±10.11)岁,男性49例(59.04%)。所有患者术前均行256层螺旋CT检查,测量左心房体积、左心耳体积、左心耳开口周长、短径、长径、深径并收集患者临床资料。83例房颤患者行射频消融术后中位随访时间19(4~24)个月,27例(32.53%)患者复发。根据有无复发分为复发组(n=27例)和未复发组(n=56例)。结果:对83例患者的临床资料进行分析,复发组持续性房颤患者及心力衰竭(心衰)患者较未复发组比例更高,CHA2DS2-VASc评分更高(P均<0.05);对左心耳解剖结构分析,左心房体积、左心耳体积、左心耳开口周长、短径、长径、深径,复发组均大于未复发组(P均<0.05);多因素Cox比例风险回归分析显示较大的左心耳体积是房颤复发的独立预测因子(HR=1.160,95%CI:1.095~1.229,P<0.001);左心耳体积>9.25 ml对射频消融术后复发具有一定预测价值,敏感度85.2%、特异度67.9%、AUC 0.82,房颤复发率较高(P<0.00l)。结论:房颤会造成心脏结构重构,左心耳各解剖径线明显增大可能是房颤射频消融术后复发的原因,并且发现左心耳体积增大是房颤射频消融术后复发的独立预测因子。     

Impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways on the frequency of atrial fibrillation during long-term follow-up; high recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation in patients older than 50 years of age.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation represents a frequent and potentially life-threatening arrhythmia in patients with accessory atrioventricular pathways. Radiofrequency ablation has become the curative treatment of first choice for these patients. Investigations after successful surgical pathway dissection reported an almost complete elimination of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, there are only a few reports which include a small number of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether successful radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways prevents the occurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and to identify possible predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 116 consecutive patients (mean age 42+/-15 years) with manifest or concealed accessory pathways and documented paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. The patients were reexamined at 6 and 12 months. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by questionnaire and/or by consulting the referring physician. Pathway conduction was abolished in 101 cases (87%). Late follow-up information was obtained from 91 of these 101 patients (90%) with successful ablation with a mean follow-up duration of 23.9+/-12.3 months. During follow-up, 25 of 91 patients (27%) experienced arrhythmias. Recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation were observed in 18 of these 25 cases (i.e. 20% of the 91 patients). Differences between patients with and without recurrences of atrial fibrillation were examined for age, sex, associated cardiac disease, presence of multiple pathways, pathway location, atrial fibrillation inducibility during the procedure and cycle length of the atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. Only older age was a significant independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence (P=0.02). Eleven of 31 patients (35%) older than 50 years of age had atrial fibrillation recurrences during follow-up compared to seven of 60 patients (12%) under age 50. The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation was even higher in patients older than 60 years (6 of 11 patients, i.e. 55%). In comparison, the occurrence rate of atrial fibrillation during follow-up in a control group of 100 consecutive patients with successful accessory pathway ablation, who did not have evidence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation prior to ablation, was 4% and, thus, significantly lower than in the study group of the 91 patients (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after successful radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways shows an age-related increase, being low in patients younger than 50 years of age (12%) and high in the older patients: 35% in patients older than 50 years and 55% in patients older than 60. These results have significant therapeutic implications concerning the decisions on pharmacological therapy after successful ablation in patients older than 50 years. Furthermore, these data will help physicians advise older patients properly about their risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation.     

Factors associated with early atrial fibrillation after ablation of common atrial flutter. A single centre prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of early atrial fibrillation (< or = 6 months) after ablation of common atrial flutter is of clinical significance. Variables predicting this evolution in ablated patients without a previous atrial fibrillation history have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was: (1) to identify predictive factors of early atrial fibrillation (< or = 6 months) in the overall population following atrial flutter catheter ablation; (2) to identify predictive variables of early atrial fibrillation following (< or = 6 months) atrial flutter catheter ablation within a subgroup of patients without documented prior atrial fibrillation. METHODS: This study prospectively included 96 consecutive patients (age 65 +/- 13 years; 18 women) over a 12-month period. Their counterclockwise flutter was ablated by radiofrequency, by the same operator, with an 8-mm-tip catheter. Clinical, electrophysiological and echocardiographic data were collected and 27 variables were retained for analysis: age; gender; type of atrial flutter (permanent vs paroxysmal); symptom duration (months +/- SD); pre-ablation history of atrial fibrillation; structural heart disease; left ventricular ejection fraction (%); left atrial size (mm); cava--tricuspid isthmus dimension; septal isthmus dimension; systolic pulmonary pressure > or < or = 30 mmHg; right atrial area; left atrial area; isthmus block; number of radiofrequency applications (+/- SD); antiarrhythmic drugs at discharge; left ventricular diastolic diameter; left ventricular systolic diameter; left ventricular telediastolic volume; left ventricular telesystolic volume; A-wave velocity (cm . s(-1)); E-wave velocity (cm . s(-1)); E/A; isovolumetric relaxation time; E-wave deceleration time; significant mitral regurgitation and flutter cycle length (ms). RESULTS: Of the 96 consecutive ablated patients, early atrial fibrillation was documented in 16 patients (17%). Atrial fibrillation occurred 30 +/- 46 days (range 1 to 171 days) after ablation. Univariate analysis associated an early occurrence of atrial fibrillation with: atrial fibrillation history, left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial size, left ventricular telesystolic volume, A-wave velocity, significant mitral regurgitation and flutter cycle length. Multivariate analysis using a Cox model found that the only independent predictors of early atrial fibrillation were left ventricular ejection fraction and pre-ablation history of atrial fibrillation. In the subgroup without prior atrial fibrillation history (n=63; 66%), the only independent predictor of early atrial fibrillation was the presence of a significant mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: In a subgroup of patients without atrial fibrillation history, 8% of patients revealed an early atrial fibrillation. Mitral regurgitation is a strong predictive factor of early atrial fibrillation occurrence with 80% sensitivity, 78% specificity and 98% negative predictive value. These data should be considered in post-ablation management.