Objectives: To estimate predictors of acute and late periods of arrhythmias recurrence in pts underwent de novo atrial fibrillation (Afib) circumferential and linear ablation using 3D system approach.
Materials and Methods: 214 patients (an average age – 53.65±11.5 years, ranged - 22 to 76 years) underwent an index RFA of Afib (43 women). There were 84 paroxysmal (39.25%), 63 persistent (29.44%) and 67 long-lasting persistent (31.31%) Afib pts involved. According to the period of recurrence of arrhythmias all patients were divided into two groups: acute (3 mos.) period recurrence (AR) – 25 (11,6%) pts and late recurrence (LR) (up to the 3 years of follow-up) - 52 pts (24,2%). At the beginning of protocol TT ECHO- as well as ECG-parameters were evaluated. We used nonparametric statistics methods to estimate value of ECHO and ECG parameters to predict atrial arrhythmia recurrence within the either acute or late periods after RFA.
Results: There were no significant changes revealed between two groups in following parameters: LV EDD – 57.6±7.2 mm in AR pts vs. 56.5±6.0 mm in LR pts, LV ESD - 40±8.3 mm in AR pts vs. 37.7±6.8 mm in LR pts, LV ESV - 74.3±41.0 ml in AR pts vs. 63.3±31.5 ml in LR pts, LV EDV – 167.9±50.3 ml in AR pts vs. 160.0±38.0 ml in LR pts, LA – 44.7±5 mm AR pts vs. 45.4±5.9 mm in LR pts, LV mass – 204.2±46.5 g in AR pts vs. 215.5±48.2 g in LR pts. EF in pts with blanking period arrhythmias was significantly lower (57.2±11.7 % vs. 59.9±8.1 %) comparing with late recurrence arrhythmias pts (p<0,05). ECG findings: There were no significant differences observed in PQ interval (177,5±17,7 mm in AR pts vs. 185,2±31,5 mm in LR pts) as well as anterior hemiblock, left bundle branch block or right bundle branch block occurrence between the groups.
Conclusions: There were no significant differences in TT ECHO or ECG characteristics but ejection fraction observed between subgroup of pts who expressed acute period or late recurrence (up to 3 years) arrhythmias at the follow-up after an index 3-D RFA of Afib.