Impact of Left Atrial Geometric Remodeling on Late Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation

Abstract

\n Purpose: To quantitatively investigate the impact of left atrial (LA) geometric remodeling on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation (CA).Methods: A retrospective analysis of 105 patients with AF who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography before CA. Risk factors for AF recurrence were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis and used to create a nomogram.Results: After at least 12 months of follow-up, 30 patients (29%) developed recurrent AF. Patients with recurrence had a higher LA volume, LA sphericity, and a lower LA ejection fraction (LAEF) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in asymmetry index between the two groups (P = 0.121). Multivariable regression analysis showed that LA minimal volume index (LAVImin) (OR: 1.280, 95% CI: 1.027–1.594, P = 0.028), LA sphericity (OR: 1.268, 95% CI: 1.071–1.500, P = 0.006) and CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR: 1.326, 95% CI: 1.016–1.732, P=0.038) were independent predictors of AF recurrence. The combined model of the LA sphericity to the LAVImin substantially increased the predictive power for AF recurrence (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.627–0.844, P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 61%. A nomogram was generated based on the contribution weights of the risk factors; the AUC was 0.769 (95% CI: 0.666–0.872) and had good internal validity.Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score, LA sphericity, and LAVImin were significant and independent predictors of AF recurrence after CA. Furthermore, the nomogram had a better predictive capacity for AF recurrence.