P421Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation and drug therapy of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure

Abstract

Abstract Objective to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and heart failure (HF) within 12-month follow-up. Materials and methods 130 patients (men-75%, average age-62.8 ± 11.8 years) with AFib and HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)<50% were included in a prospective study. In 107 (82%) of the included patients, intermediate LVEF was detected (40-49%). At the time of inclusion, paroxysmal AFib (PaAFib) was recorded in 60 (46%) of patients and persistent AFib (PeAFib) in 70 (54%). AFib RFA was performed in 65 patients, 65 patients continued to receive optimal antiarrhythmic therapy. Prior to the intervention and after 12 months, all patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and quality of life (QoL) assessment using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results the freedom from AFib within 12 months follow-up period was registred in 49 (75%) of patients in the RFA group and 26 (40%) in the drug therapy group. After 12 month follow-up period we revealed increase of LVEF (p < 0.001), decrease of anteroposterior size (p <0.001) and volume (p < 0.001) of left atrium (LA), improvement of mental (p = 0.008) and physical (p = 0.048) health components according to the SF-36 questionnaire in the RFA group. In the group of drug rhythm control, after 12 months there was only the improvement of mental (p = 0.006) and physical p = 0.016) health components and it was much less than in RFA group (р<0.001). Similar results were received in patients who were free from Afib within 12 months in both groups. Conclusions in patients with AFib and HF with LVEF < 50%, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm using RFA was accompanied by an increase in LVEF, decrease of LA size, and an improvement of QoL. In the group of drug therapy, there was a lower freedom from AFib and there was the slight improvement only in QoL.