The Impact of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score on Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after a Single Catheter Ablation and Atrial Remodeling in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after a single catheter ablation procedure in patients with non-valvular AF. We also investigated the correlation between CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and atrial substrate. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study evaluated 151 patients who underwent catheter ablation of non-valvular AF. The study population was stratified into group 1 (<2, n=72) and group 2 (≥2, n=79) by CHA₂DS₂-VASc score. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was analyzed as a continuous and categorical value for evaluating its impact on AF recurrence after catheter ablation. The left atrial voltage data were analyzed by the categorical values of this score. RESULTS: Post-ablation recurrence (31.6% vs. 18.1%, p=0.046) was observed more frequently in group 2. The mean area of the lowvoltage zone was 75.64±24.81 cm² and 94.44±28.09 cm² in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.005). The left atrial mean voltage in group 2 was 0.99±0.31 mV, significantly lower than that (1.49±0.67 mV, p=0.001) in group 1. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was the independent predictor with a modest predictive value for AF recurrence after catheter ablation. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was associated with atrial remodeling and could be useful in stratifying post-ablation recurrence in patients with non-valvular AF.