open access

Vol 29, No 4 (2022)
Original Article
Submitted: 2019-11-14
Accepted: 2020-04-21
Published online: 2020-05-15
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Predictors of the voltage derived left atrial fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Radoslaw M. Kiedrowicz1, Maciej Wielusinski1, Andrzej Wojtarowicz1, Jaroslaw Kazmierczak1
·
Pubmed: 32419127
·
Cardiol J 2022;29(4):660-669.
Affiliations
  1. Cardiology Department, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland

open access

Vol 29, No 4 (2022)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Submitted: 2019-11-14
Accepted: 2020-04-21
Published online: 2020-05-15

Abstract

Background: Left atrial (LA) arrhythmogenic substrate beyond the pulmonary veins (PV) seems to play a crucial role in the maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of selected parameters with the presence and extent of voltage-defined LA fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients underwent high density-high resolution voltage mapping of the LA with a multielectrode catheter following PV isolation and restoration of sinus rhythm with cardioversion. A non-invasive dataset, such as clinical variables, two-and three-dimensional echocardiography determined LA size and function and fibrillatory-wave amplitude on a standard surface electrocardiogram were obtained during AF before ablation. Results: Low-voltage areas (LVA; 15 cm2 [IQR 8–31]) were detected in 56% of patients. Twenty nine percent of them presented mild, 43% moderate and 28% severe global LVA burden. In univariate analysis, age ≥ 57 years old, female sex, body surface area ≤ 1.76 m2, valvular heart disease, moderate mitral regurgitation, chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 predicted the presence of LVA. In multivariate analysis only female sex, valvular heart disease and CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 4 remained statistically significant. AF duration, LA size and function and fibrillatory-waves amplitude were neither associated with the prediction of the LVA, nor severe LVA burden. Conclusions: A LSPAF diagnosis does not indicate the presence of voltage defined fibrosis in many cases. Simple non-invasive screening of the LSPAF population could predict LVA prevalence.

Abstract

Background: Left atrial (LA) arrhythmogenic substrate beyond the pulmonary veins (PV) seems to play a crucial role in the maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of selected parameters with the presence and extent of voltage-defined LA fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients underwent high density-high resolution voltage mapping of the LA with a multielectrode catheter following PV isolation and restoration of sinus rhythm with cardioversion. A non-invasive dataset, such as clinical variables, two-and three-dimensional echocardiography determined LA size and function and fibrillatory-wave amplitude on a standard surface electrocardiogram were obtained during AF before ablation. Results: Low-voltage areas (LVA; 15 cm2 [IQR 8–31]) were detected in 56% of patients. Twenty nine percent of them presented mild, 43% moderate and 28% severe global LVA burden. In univariate analysis, age ≥ 57 years old, female sex, body surface area ≤ 1.76 m2, valvular heart disease, moderate mitral regurgitation, chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 predicted the presence of LVA. In multivariate analysis only female sex, valvular heart disease and CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 4 remained statistically significant. AF duration, LA size and function and fibrillatory-waves amplitude were neither associated with the prediction of the LVA, nor severe LVA burden. Conclusions: A LSPAF diagnosis does not indicate the presence of voltage defined fibrosis in many cases. Simple non-invasive screening of the LSPAF population could predict LVA prevalence.

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Keywords

atrial fibrillation, long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, voltage mapping, left atrial fibrosis, low-voltage areas

About this article
Title

Predictors of the voltage derived left atrial fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Journal

Cardiology Journal

Issue

Vol 29, No 4 (2022)

Article type

Original Article

Pages

660-669

Published online

2020-05-15

Page views

5338

Article views/downloads

1299

DOI

10.5603/CJ.a2020.0069

Pubmed

32419127

Bibliographic record

Cardiol J 2022;29(4):660-669.

Keywords

atrial fibrillation
long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation
voltage mapping
left atrial fibrosis
low-voltage areas

Authors

Radoslaw M. Kiedrowicz
Maciej Wielusinski
Andrzej Wojtarowicz
Jaroslaw Kazmierczak

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