Improvement of left ventricular function in patients with persistent atrial tachyarrhythmia induced cardiomyopathy undergoing radiofrequency ablation

Purpose: To investigate the alteration of left ventricular function in subjects with persistent atrial tachyarrhythmia induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) undergoing radiofrequency ablation, and to study the pathogenesis and effective treatment of TIC. Methods: A total of 25 cases with persistent atrial tachyarrhythmia and impaired left ventricular systolic function were studied (16 men and 9 women, aged 53.3 ± 15.2 years), and all subjects underwent electrophysiological study and radiofrequency ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmia under the guidance of CARTO system during 2006.9-2011.8. Indexes related to cardiac function, including left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association functional classification (NYHA class), 6 minutes walking test (6MWT), Nterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and 24 hours average heart rate (AHR), were analyzed at the time point of 7 days, 3 and 6 months after the procedure as well as 1 day before ablation. Results: No refractory atrial arrhythmia recurred in all cases after ablation, compared with LVEDD (51.7 ± 4.5 mm), LVEF (39.0% ± 4.3%), number of patients with NYHA class IV and III (n = 17), 6MWT (212 ± 56 m), BNP (3622 ± 1860 ng/L) and AHR (112.5 ± 23.2 bpm) before ablation, the index of LVEDD (45.2 ± 3.3 mm; 41.7 ± 2.5 mm; 40.5 ± 3.1 m), BNP (2429 ± 1355 ng/L; 1530 ± 866 ng/L; 1300 ± 520 ng/L), total number of patients of NYHA class IV and III (n = 11; 3; 2) and AHR (73.3 ± 15.3 bpm; 68.7 ± 13.5 bpm; 66.3 ± 13.6 bpm) significantly decreased (P < 0.05), LVEF (45.6 ± 3.5%; 51.5 ± 2.7%; 53.5 ± 3.1%) and 6MWT (262 ± 47 m; 305 ± 37 m; 313 ± 41 m) greatly increased (P < 0.05)in 7 days, 3 and 6 months after ablation respectively. There was a statistical difference between 7 days and 3 or 6 months after ablation in above-mentioned indexes (P < 0.05) except AHR (P > 0.05), no significant difference existed between 3 and 6 months in all indexes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: long-lasting atrial arrhythmia with rapid ventricular response could impair left ventricle function, which could be reversed within weeks after successful ablation and restoration of sinus rhythm.