Clinical characteristics and electrophysiological features in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency energy ablation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical and paraclinical characteristics and electrophysiological features after cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Subejct and method: This was a prospective study of 40 patients with persistent AF who underwent catheter ablation of AF using a three-dimensional (3D) system at the Vietnam Heart Institute, Bach Mai Hospital. Result: The mean age of the patients was 54.25 ± 12.54 years, and 80% of patients were male, the symptoms (according to EHRA) of patients ranged from grade IIb (67.5%) to grade III (32.5%). Hypertension (42.5%) and alcohol abuse (37.5%) were the most common risk factors. After cardioversion, patients with persistent AF exhibited longer sinus node recovery time (SNRT) (1445.11 ± 547.33ms) and corrected SNRT (667.03 ± 517.21ms) than healthy controls. Conclusion: Persistent AF is common in the elderly, especially men, with prevalent risk factors, such as hypertension and alcohol abuse. After cardioversion, patients with persistent AF have an SNRT longer than normal.