Reverse Remodeling of Right Atrium after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Background: The effect of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) on reverse remodeling of right atrium (RA) after CA has not been fully evaluated. Objectives: We investigated the presence or absence of reverse remodeling of RA after CA for AF. Methods: Seventy consecutive patients with persistent AF referred for CA were enrolled in this study. Using multi-detector computed tomography, LA and RA end-diastolic volume (LAEDV and RAEDV), and LA and RA ejection fraction (LAEF and RAEF) were measured at baseline and after 3 months following CA. We evaluated the correlations between the changes in LAEDV and RAEDV (δ%LAEDV and δ%RAEDV), and between those in LAEF and RAEF (δLAEF and δRAEF). Results: The both LAEDV and RAEDV showed significant reduction of 22% and 25% in 3 months (LAEDV; 81.4±25.7 to 63.5±23.5 ml, RAEDV; 128.4±38.6 to 95.9±25.9 ml, p<0.01, respectively). LAEF and RAEF recovered significantly (LAEF; 17.3±10 to 37.7±10.6%, and RAEF; 17.2±6.1 to 36.8±9.2%, p<0.01, respectively). There were significant positive correlations between δ%LAEDV and δ%RAEDV, and between δLAEF and δRAEF (r=0.71 and 0.48, p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: RA, as well as LA, showed significant reverse remodeling after CA in patients with persistent AF, and the extent of such remodeling in LA and that in RA were closely related.