Effects of two kinds of radio frequency ablations on morphology and function of left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to observe the effects of circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) and CPVA combined with complex fractionated atrial electro-gram (CPVA+CFAE) on morphology and function of left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS To evaluate the effects of CPVA and CPVA+CFAE on morphology and function of left atrium, the left atrial volume and late diastolic velocity peak (Va) were determined by tissue Doppler imaging before and after CPVA and CPVA+CFAE, respectively. RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the left atrial volume before and after CPVA. However, Va was significantly higher after CPVA (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in both the left atrial volume and Va before and after CPVA+CFAE. Va after ablation was significantly higher in CPVA group than in CPVA+CFAE group (P=0.031). CONCLUSION The left atrial function was significantly improved after CPVA, but CPVA+CFAE failed to markedly improve the left atrial function. This suggests that excessive atrial substrate ablation may damage the left atrial function.