Objectives: There are inconsistent findings regarding the impact of ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) on left atrial (LA) contractile function. We investigated the ablation effect on LA function in patients with paroxysmal AF.
Methods: Two hundred eighty-nine patients (mean age 56 +/- 9 years) underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF. Transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after ablation for assessment of LA diameter, left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAEV), and A-wave peak velocity.
Results: LA function before ablation was relatively well preserved (LAAEV 54 +/- 19 cm/s, A-wave 59 +/- 23 cm/s). During follow-up, there was no significant change of LAAEV: from 54 +/- 19 cm/s at baseline to 54 +/- 18 at 6 months and 52 +/- 20 cm/s at 12 months (P = ns).The LA diameter at baseline was 4.2 +/- 0.6 cm and showed no significant change at 6 and 12 months (4.1 +/- 0.6 and 4.1 +/- 0.5 cm, P = ns). There was also no change of the A-wave (59 +/- 23 cm/s before ablation, 59 +/- 27 cm/s at 6 months and 53 +/- 12 cm/s at 12 months, P = ns).
Conclusions: In patients with paroxysmal AF and relatively well preserved LA function, AF ablation leads to no significant deterioration of atrial function.