Significant improvement of left atrial and left atrial appendage function after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation

Background: The long-term effects of catheter ablation (CA) on the left atrium and left atrial appendage (LAA) are unknown in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigated left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling and evolution of LA/LAA function after successful CA for persistent AF and identified predictors for maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) and LA reverse remodeling. Methods and Results: CA was performed in 123 patients with persistent AF. LA volumes, LA strain and LAA wall velocity were assessed both at baseline and at 12 months after ablation. Patients who maintained SR were divided into 2 groups according to whether LA volume decreased by ≥15% at follow-up (responders) or not (non-responders). During a follow-up period of 18±2 months, AF recurred in 45 patients (37%). Of the remaining 78 patients (63%) without recurrent AF, 62 patients (79%) were classified as responders. LA/LAA function significantly improved and the prevalence of spontaneous echo contrast decreased only in responders at follow-up. LA systolic strain and LAA wall velocity were independent predictors of both maintenance of SR (odds ratio [OR], 2.57; P=0.003; OR, 3.02; P=0.002, respectively) and LA reverse remodeling (OR, 4.44; P=0.007; OR, 3.52; P=0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Successful CA is associated with LA reverse remodeling and LA/LAA functional recovery in patients with persistent AF. LA systolic strain and LAA wall velocity at baseline predicted both maintenance of SR and LA reverse remodeling.