Abstract 15067: Catheter Ablation Improves Cardiac Function in Both Patients With Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes loss of atrial kick and induces tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy, and consequently leads to a decrease in cardiac function. However, time-course changes in cardiac function after the catheter ablation (ABL) for AF is unclear. Hypothesis: ABL for AF may improve cardiac function in both patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. Methods: Subjects of the present study were 148 AF patients (94 and 54 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, respectively) in whom AF did not recur after ABL. Left ventricular stroke volume (SV) was repeatedly measured using non-invasive electrical velocimetry until 6-months after ABL. SV measured using electrical velocimetry was compared with that measured using a Swan-Ganz catheter. Improvement in cardiac function was defined as 20% increase in SV 6-months after ABL. Results: SV measured using electrical velocimetry approximated that measured using a Swan-Ganz catheter (R2=0.747 and 0.714 during sinus rhythm and AF rhythm, res...