Increased resting heart rate following radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

AIM: Sinus tachycardia has been observed following radiofrequency(RF) catheter ablation for various kinds of supraventriculartachycardia. This study is aimed at determining the occurrenceof changes in sinus-rhythm heart rate (HR) after pulmonary vein(PV) isolation in patients with paroxysmal/persistent atrialfibrillation (AF), prospectively. METHODS: Patients with a history of AF underwent segmental or circumferentialisolation of the PVs. A total of 62 consecutive patients, meanage 55 10, was included. Clinical evaluation was performedbefore and one, three, six, nine, and 12 months following theprocedure. RESULTS: Following PV isolation, the mean HR significantly increasedfrom 58 10 bpm at baseline to 67 12 bpm at one month, 71 13 bpm at three months, 69 12 bpm at six months, 69 13at nine months, and 70 13 at 12 months follow-up. The ablationsuccess significantly correlated with the increase in HR atone month follow-up. In three patients the mean HR increased> 25 bpm resulting in symptoms necessitating therapy withrate-controlling drugs. CONCLUSION: PV isolation in patients with AF may result in increased HR,which positively correlated with the ablation success. Thischange does not seem to resolve spontaneously after a follow-upof 12 months. Approximately 5% of patients may develop symptomsdue to an increased HR, necessitating treatment with rate-controllingdrugs.