Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Atrial Structure and Function in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To observe the changes of left atrial (LA) structure and function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation by echocardiography in order to provide basis for clinical evaluation of surgery.Materials and Methods Forty-four patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation in PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled.According to whether or not to restore sinus rhythm after operation,the patients were divided into sinus rhythm group and atrial fibrillation recurrence group.The paramrters of LA including diameter,maximum and minimum volume,systolic volume,ejection fraction,active ejection fraction,conduit function index and dilatation index were measure by echocardiography before and at least 6 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation.The data were compared between and within groups.Results All patients were followed up for (6.0±0.5) months after ablation operation.29 of 44 patients (66％) maintained sinus rhythm;the anteroposterior,vertical,and left to right diameters of LA in patients with sinus rhythm after operation were significantly lower than those before operation,but the ejection fraction of LA increased (all P＜0.05).However,in patients with atrial fibrillation recurrence after operation,the volume of LA increased (P＜0.05);the diameters of LA did not show significant differences;the ejection and active ejection fraction of LA had significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Compared with patients with sinus rhythm after operation,patients with atrial fibrillation recurrence after operation were older and had higher proportion of hypertension (P＜0.05).Conclusion After ablation,the diameter of LA decreases and the ejection fraction increases in patients with sinus rhythm;the volume of LA increases and the function reduces in patients with atrial fibrillation recurrence.