Reverse Remodeling of the Mitral Valve Complex After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Serial 3-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study.

BACKGROUND

Mitral regurgitation is frequently complicated with atrial fibrillation without apparent organic changes in the leaflet, which occasionally improves after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. We aimed to evaluate a possible geometric effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on the mitral valve apparatus.

METHODS

Forty-three consecutive patients who underwent successful catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (maintaining sinus rhythm for 6 months after their procedure) were examined by serial real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography before and 6 months after catheter ablation. Mitral valve complex geometry was measured using dedicated software for 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

RESULTS

Mitral valve apparatus showed significant reverse remodeling along with left atrial reverse remodeling 6 months after successful catheter ablation (50.5 [39.2-61.0] versus 36.4 [28.9-43.1] mL/m2; P<0.001). The degree of mitral regurgitation decreased in a majority of patients (mitral regurgitation jet area; 1.83 [0.78-3.09] versus 0.77 [0.36-1.47] cm2; P<0.001). Annular area significantly decreased (5.32±0.91 versus 4.73±0.76 cm2/m2; P<0.001) in both anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. Mitral annular contraction significantly recovered after maintaining sinus rhythm for 6 months (7.51 [4.82-9.62]% versus 9.71 [6.27-13.85]%; P=0.008). There were no significant changes in tenting volume or tenting height (0.46 [0.27-0.89] versus 0.51 [0.32-0.72] mL/m2, P=0.744; 2.34 [1.75-3.48] versus 2.76 [1.99-3.08] mm/m2, P=0.717). The leaflet surface area also significantly decreased after catheter ablation (5.74 [5.01-6.33] versus 5.19 [4.63-5.64] cm2/m2; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Maintaining sinus rhythm after successful catheter ablation promotes reverse remodeling in the mitral valve apparatus and improves so-called atrial functional mitral regurgitation. The positive geometric effect of catheter ablation would be expected to be a possible contributor to better outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation, in addition to the postprocedural freedom from rhythm disturbance.