Predictive value of epicardial adipose tissue thickness for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after concomitant valve replacement and bipolar radiofrequency ablation / 中国综合临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the predictive value of epicardial adipose tissue(EAT) thickness for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (RAF) after concomitant valve replacement and bipolar radiofrequency ablation.Methods From January 2012 to May 2014,156 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and organic valvular diseases underwent concomitant valve replacement and successful bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu.After 1 year of follow-up,the recurrence of AF was analyzed and the correlation factors were analyzed statistically.Results All patients completed a regular follow-up.During a 12-month follow-up period,RAF was observed in 39 patients (25.0％).Echocardiography-derived regional EAT thickness was significantly greater in RAF patients than that in non-RAF patients((6.9±0.6) mm vs.(5.5±0.7) mm,t=4.649,P＜0.05).The EAT thickness strongly correlated with patients age,body mass index,Ratio of left atrial diameter,mitral diastolic blood flow velocity and early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and thyroglobulin (r =0.62,0.57,0.68,0.59,0.73,0.76;P ＜ 0.05).Cox multivariable analysis showed that,duration of AF history (95％CI1.01-1.15,P =0.040),left atrial diameter (95％CI1.07-1.24,P =0.021) and EAT thickness (95％CI1.05-1.79,P =0.009) were independent predictors of RAF.Conclusion Echocardiography-derived regional EAT thickness combined with left atrial diameter may serve as effective parameters in identifying patients at the highest risk for RAF.