P1407Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients

Abstract

Abstract Background radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered to be one of the most preferred treatments for atrial fibrillation (AFib) in patients with heart failure (HF). Objective to study the effectiveness of AFib RFA in patients with HF, to compare the effectiveness of the procedure in patients with paroxysmal (PaAFib) and persistent (PeAFib) AFib. Materials and methods 65 patients with AF and HF with LVEF < 50%, who underwent RFA were included in a prospective study. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and quality of life assessment using the SF-36 questionnaire before RFA and after 12 months. AFib was recorded in 42 (65%) of patients, AFL in 23 (35%). Thirty (46%) patients had PaAfib (Group 1), and 35 (54%) PeAFib (Group 2). Results In 45 (69%) patients sinus rhythm (SR) was restored during RFA, in 15 (23%) SR was restored by electrical cardioversion. In 5 (8%) patients with PaAFib revealed SR at the time of RFA. Twelve month follow-up period revealed 49 (75%) patients who were free from AFib: 23 (77%) patients with PaAFib and 26 (74%) with PeAFib. After 12 month follow-up we revealed the improvement in LVEF (p < 0.001 in both groups), decrease of anteroposterior size of left atrium (LA) (p < 0.001 in both groups) and LA volume (p < 0.001 in both groups), improvement in the mental (p = 0.008 in Group 1; p = 0.006 in Group 2) and physical component of health according to the SF-36 questionnaire (p = 0.036 in Group 1; p = 0.049 in Group 2). There were no significant differences between two groups of follow-up period. Conclusions AFib RFA significantly improves the course of heart failure and the quality of life of patients, leads to decrease of left atrium size and increase of LVEF. The effectiveness of RFA does not depend on the type of arrhythmia in HF patients.