ABSTRACT
Objective To study the correlation of epicardium adipose tissue (EAT) volume with bland period atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after first radiofrequency ablation (RA). Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with AF were retrospectively analyzed. The EAT volume was measured by CT scanning. The patients were followed up for 6-18 months after first RA. Among the patients, 27 cases were found to have bland period AF recurrence (observation group), and 58 cases were not found to have bland period AF recurrence (control group). The EAT volume of 2 groups was compared and analyzed. Results The total EAT volume and left atrial EAT volume in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group:(118.6 ± 29.2) cm3 vs. (94.3 ± 27.1) cm3 and (28.9 ± 9.0) cm3 vs. (22.7 ± 7.3) cm3, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that total EAT volumes and left atrial EAT volumes were the independent risk factors for blank period AF recurrence (OR=1.053 and 1.128, 95%CI 1.010-1.079 and 1.032-1.224, P<0.05). The AF incidence of long-term recurrence in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group: 40.7% (11/27) vs. 15.5% (9/58), and there was statistical difference (χ2 = 6.031, P<0.05). Conclusions The AF is easier to recur during blank period after first RA in AF patients with a larger total EAT volume and a larger left atrial EAT volume.