Left atrial hypertension and the risk of early incident heart failure
after atrial fibrillation ablation
Abstract
Introduction: Elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) during catheter
ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased
risk of AF recurrence, but it is unknown if this correlates with heart
failure (HF). The objective of the study was to determine if elevated
LAP after AF ablation correlates with HF events. Methods: Prospective,
single center, cohort study measuring LAP and RAP during AF ablation in
100 patients. The primary endpoint was clinical HF within 30 days of
ablation. The secondary outcome was AF-free HF. Results: 100 patients
(63% male, mean age 64.5) were enrolled and 20% had clinical HF within
30 days. Bivariate correlates included mitral valve (MV) disease,
persistent AF, class III antiarrhythmics, LAP, and recurrent AF.
Multivariate analysis revealed class III antiarrhythmics were protective
(OR 0.24 [0.1–0.5], p=0.04), while MV disease (OR 8.7
[3.3—23], p=0.03) and loop diuretics (OR 4.8 [2.6–9.1],
p=0.01) were hazardous. AF-free HF occurred in 9% of patients and
correlated with higher LAP and RAP, and CKD. Conclusion: Patients with
HF after AF ablation had higher LAP. MV disease, diuretic use, and class
III antiarrhythmics also correlated to HF. These present opportunities
to target future interventions to reduce a common complication of AF
ablation.