Evaluation of left atrial function immediately after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation by velocity vector imaging / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the immediate impact of radiofrequencycatheter ablation on left atrial (LA)volumes and function by velocity vector imaging(ⅤⅥ)and compare the LA function with and without atrial fibrillation after the operation.Methods Ten consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF were studied at baseline and within 3 days after ablation.Ten consecutive patients with persistent AF were studied within 3 days after ablation,in sinus rhythm.Ten patients with normal ventricular function were included in the study.ⅤⅥ was performed to assess LA sizes and strain,strain rate,velocity of the septum,lateral wall and the atrial roof from the apical four-chamber view.Results In patients with paroxysmal AF,global and regioal LA function was not significantly impaired after the ablation procedure.Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there were no significant difference in LA function betwwen patients with paroxysmal AF and control subjects,but the indexed LAVmax was significantly larger in all AF patients compared with control subjects.The global function of LA,including LAEF,LAaEF and LA expansion index significantly decreased in persistent AF patients.By contrast,the LA septal strain,velocity and lateral strain were lower than controls.Conclusions Radiofrequency catheter ablation has no influence on LA function assessed by ⅤⅥ within three days after the operation for patients with paroxysmaI AF.The function of persistent AF patients is absolutely lower than control subjects.