Evaluation of the Effect of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Treatment With Left Atrial Catheter Ablation Method on Atrial Conduction Times in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

PurposeAtrial fibrillation (AF) causes structural, electrical, and cellular remodeling in the atrium. Evaluation of intra- and interatrial conduction time, which is measured by tissue doppler echocardiography, indicates structural and electrical remodeling in the atrium. In the meta-analysis of the studies investigating rhythm control treatment strategy in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been shown to be superior over antiarrhythmics in ensuring and protecting sinus rhythm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pulmonary vein isolation applied with RF ablation therapy on intra- and interatrial conduction time and to investigate the structural and electrically remodeling after treatment.MethodsFifty-two patients with symptomatic PAF despite at least one antiarrhythmic drug and without structural heart disease were included in the study. Two patients were excluded because of complications developed during and after the operation. Fifty patients (28 female; mean age: 51.68 ± 11.731; mean left atrial diameter: 36.79 ± 4.318) who underwent CARTO® 3D pulmonary vein isolation applied with the RF ablation system were followed-up. Intra- and the inter-atrial electromechanical delay was measured in all patients by tissue doppler echocardiography before and three months after RF ablation. ResultsAll intra- and interatrial conduction times were significantly decreased 3 months after RF ablation procedure (PA lateral p = 0.022; PA septum p = 0.002; PA tricuspid p = 0.019, interatrial conduction delay p= 0,012, intra-atrial conduction delay p = 0.029).ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that providing stable sinus rhythm by the elimination of the AF triggering mechanisms with RF ablation of pulmonary vein isolation may slow down, stop or even improve structural remodeling at substrate level secondary to AF even in patients who did not yet develop atrial fibrosis and permanent structural changes.