Outcome of pulmonary vein isolation ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: predictive role of left atrial mechanical dyssynchrony by speckle tracking echocardiography

Introduction Although few clinical variables have been associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) the role of left atrial (LA) mechanical function in the outcome of catheter ablation of AF is not adequately defined. The aim of our study was to determine whether LA mechanical dyssynchrony as evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography can predict outcome of PVI ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal AF.