Relationship between autonomic nervous system and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the relationship between autonomic nervous reflex and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) using diving reflex test and cold pressor test. Methods A total of 102 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were recruited in the present study. All patients underwent diving reflex test and cold pressor test before and after RFCA. The relationship between mean heart rate and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation was observed. Results Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation was successfully achieved in all the 102 patients. The mean heart rate was decreased by diving reflex test and increased by cold pressor test. The diving reflex of the participants was significantly decreased after RFCA (P<0.05), and the cold pressor test results had no noticeable change. The diving reflex in patients with early recurrence of atrial fibrillation was more intensive than those without (P<0.05). Conclusion The parasympathetic activity is decreased in atrial fibrillation patients after RFCA, and the decrease may be related to the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after RECA.