Functional improvement after successful catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Identifying patients who benefit from restored sinus rhythm (SR) would optimize the selection of candidates for ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). This prospective study sought to identify the hitherto unknown factors associated with global functional improvement after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of LSPAF.

In 171 LSPAF patients (84% of the total consecutive 203 patients) who were examined in SR 12 months after ablation, the individual per cent change from baseline value in maximum oxygen consumption at exercise test (VO₂ max), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and five-dimensional descriptive system (EQ-5D) of quality-of-life questionnaire were classified in quartiles by 0 (worse) to 3 (best) grades. The individual grades were summed into a composite score (SCORE, 0 … 12) reflecting global functional improvement. Significant improvement in VO₂ max (3.4 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min), LVEF (7.5 ± 9.1%), NT-proBNP (−861 ± 809 pg/mL), and EQ-5D (0.7 ± 0.12) was observed (all P < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, younger age (P = 0.001), male gender (P = 0.02), timely post-ablation left atrial appendage (LAA) outflow (P = 0.005) with improvement in outflow velocity (P = 0.0002), and withdrawal of Class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs (P < 0.05) were positively and independently correlated with the SCORE.

Younger male patients benefited most from catheter ablation of LSPAF. Delayed or non-improved LAA outflow and inability to discontinue Class I/III antiarrhythmic medication reduced the post-ablation functional improvement.