Protracted impairment of left atrial compliance after cryoballoon ablation in recurrence-free patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The relationship between alterations in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and the incidence of recurrence, as well as the associated factors after cryoballoon (CB) and radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Paf), require clarification. We enrolled 138 patients with Paf (RF/CB 69/69) who underwent the first catheter ablation and follow-up for 12 months. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and after ablation. An afterload-integrated index of LV diastolic function was calculated as diastolic elastance (Ed)/arterial elastance (Ea), Ed/Ea. No significant increases were observed in Ed/Ea 3 days after RF ablation in patients with (n=12) and without (n=57) recurrence. However, a significant increase was observed in recurrence-free patients with CB ablation (n=59; P<0.05), although this level was restored after 6 months. Ed/Ea 3 days after CB ablation was correlated with left atrial pressure immediately after (r=0.630, P<0.001), but not before (r=0.290, P=0.159), ablation. The increment of creatine kinase- myocardial band release was positively associated with that of Ed/Ea (r=0.388, P<0.05) after CB ablation. Thus, the transient manifestation of LV diastolic dysfunction after CB ablation, evaluated by a new echocardiographic index, was observed only in recurrence-free patients with Paf. Protracted impairment of left atrial compliance due to ablation-induced myocardial injury may be related to the lack of recurrence in patients after CB ablation.