The effects of valsartan on atrial structural remodeling in patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of valsartan combined with low-dose amiodarone on P wave dispersion(Pd),left atrial diameter(LAD),and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF)in patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF).Methods Ninety-six patients with idiopathic PAF were randomly divided into two groups,observo group(valsartan+amiodarone)and control group(only with low-dose amiodarone),and were followed up for 12 months.The patients reported any episode of symptomatic atrial fibrillation were performed an ECG ss early as possible.Pd and LAD was measured before and at the end of 6th,12th month after the treattment.Results There was no significant difference in Pd between two groups before treatment,however Pd was lower in observe group than that in control group at the 6th,12th month after the treatment(P＜0.01).There was no difference in LAD between two groups before and at the 6th month after the treatment,and the LAD in control group was significantly enlarged compared with that in control group at 12th month after the treatment[(37.7±1.6)mm vs(35.9±1.3)mm,P＜0.05].The rate of the recurrence of PAF was similar between two groups at the 6th month after the treatment,and the recurrence of PAF in observe group was significantly lower compared with that in control group at the 12th month after the treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusions The use of valsartan in combination with amiodarone is more effective than amiodarone alone in reducing the recurrence of AF in patients with PAF,and this might be related to favourable impact of valsartan on the atrial structural remodeling. Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Amiodarone; Valsartan; Atrial structural remodeling