Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the present study is to investigate the possible correlation between heart rate variability (HRV), epicardial fat thickness (EFT), visfatin and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation.MethodsData of 337 AF patients to whom radiofrequency ablation therapy had been initiated at our hospital over the past three years were evaluated. The patients enrolled were divided into the non-recurrence group (102 patients) and the recurrence group (235 patients) according to AF recurrence in the preceding 12 months. General data in the two groups were collected and HRV, EFT, and visfatin levels were comprehensively compared for each patients of the two groups.ResultsThe recurrence group showed significantly higher results in rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, and visfatin but with evidently lower results in LF/HF when comparing the non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). The significantly different general variables in the general data and laboratory parameters, rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, visfatin, LF/HF were used as independent variables, and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation was used as dependent variables. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation were rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, visfatin, and LF/HF, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionHRV, EFT, visfatin appear to show high association with AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation.
Highlights
The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible correlation between heart rate variability (HRV), epicardial fat thickness (EFT), visfatin and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation
There were no statistical differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, coronary heart disease, diabetes, cardiac insufficiency, dyslipidemia, ACEI/ARB, β receptor blockers, anticoagulants, statins (P > 0.05) (Table 1)
Comparison of HRV, EFT, and visfatin levels between the two groups There was no statistical difference in sinus-initiated interbeatintervals (SDNN) and low frequency (LF) between the two groups (P > 0.05)
Summary
The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible correlation between heart rate variability (HRV), epicardial fat thickness (EFT), visfatin and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation. The overall incidence of AF to be 2.8%-15.8% in the general population with a trend towards a gradual increase with age annually [1]. Despite that catheter radiofrequency ablation has been generally applied. Root mean square standard deviation of adjacent R-R intervals (rMSSD) reflects parasympathetic tone changes; the percentage of adjacent NN intervals that differed from each other by more than 50 ms (PNN50) reflects parasympathetic tension activity. The dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system may trigger and maintain AF by increasing the heterogeneity of electric activities of the atrium. Previous studies showed that the HRV was low in most patients after radiofrequency ablation than the preprocedural level, indicating that the autonomic effect was one of the mechanisms in the treatment of atrial fibrillation [5,6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
