Abstract
Background-The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and isolated diastolic dysfunction is uncertain. Methods and Results-A prospective cohort of patients with normal and abnormal LV function underwent ablation for antiarrhythmic drug (AAD)-refractory AF. Three groups were compared: 111 patients with systolic dysfunction, defined as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%; 157 patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction but preserved LVEF ≥50%; and 100 patients with normal LV function. The primary end point was AAD-free AF elimination at 1 year after ablation. This end point was achieved in 62% of patients with systolic dysfunction, 75% of those with diastolic dysfunction, and 84% of controls (P=0.007). AF control on or off AADs was achieved in 76% of patients with systolic dysfunction, 85% of those with diastolic dysfunction, and 89% of controls (P=0.08). In the systolic dysfunction group, 49% experienced an increase in LVEF by ≤5% after ablation, of which 64% achieved normal LVEF. In the diastolic dysfunction group, 30% of patients demonstrated at least 1 grade improvement in diastolic dysfunction. Multivariable analysis demonstrated an increased relative risk of arrhythmia recurrence of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.1; P=0.02) in systolic dysfunction and 1.7 (1.0 to 2.7; P=0.04) in isolated diastolic dysfunction compared with normal function. Conclusions-Although an ablative approach for AF in patients with systolic or diastolic dysfunction is associated with an increased long-term recurrence risk, there is potential for substantial quality-of-life improvement and LV functional benefit.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 724-732 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2011 |
Keywords
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cardiomyopathies
- Catheter ablation
- Heart failure diastolic
- Heart failure systolic
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Physiology (medical)