Abstract 10228: Efficacy and Safety of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is a proven alternative to pharmacologic rhythm control in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Whether outcomes differ in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is of interest. Methods: Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. We extracted or calculated a risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from each study. Primary outcomes of interest include atrial arrythmia recurrence and repeat ablation. Harm outcomes of interest include all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalizations, cardiovascular hospitalizations, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and cardiac tamponade. Results: We included 7 observational studies comprising 2,525 patients with HFpEF who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. There were no significant differences in primary and harm outcomes when comparing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with HFpEF to patients with no heart failure. Similarly, there were no significant differences in outcomes when comparing catheter ablation for patients with HFpEF to HFrEF. The certainty in these estimates was low. Conclusions: Non-randomized studies suggest that catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with HFpEF is associated with similar arrythmia free survival and safety profile when compared to patients with HFrEF and without heart failure. This suggests that patients with AF and HFpEF may benefit equally from catheter ablation as those with AF and HFrEF.