Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) remains a challenging issue. This study aims to explore the left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and assess its value in predicting AF recurrence following RFCA in paroxysmal AF patients. Eighty-one patients with paroxysmal AF that underwent RFCA were recruited. TEE was performed before ablation with the assessment of left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity (LAAeV). AF recurrence occurred in 24 patients (29.6%) within 12 months after RFCA. The left atrium diameter (LAD) and left atrium volume index (LAVI) were both significantly higher in the recurrence group compared to the non-recurrence group, while the LAAeV was significantly lower in the recurrence group. LAD, LAVi and LAAeV were univariately significant risk factors for AF recurrence after ablation. Based on receiver operating curve (ROC), LAAeV < 40.5 cm/s, LAVi > 40.5 mL and LAD > 41 mm were identified as cut-off values for predicting AF recurrence. In multivariate regression analysis LAAeV < 40.5 cm/s (HR 8.194, 95% CI 2.980-22.530, p < 0.001) was identified as the only statistically significant independent predictor of AF recurrence, as the statistical significance threshold was not achieved for LAVI > 40.5 mL and LAD > 41 mm (p = 0.319; p = 0.507, respectively). A low LAAeV was the only important independent predictor of AF recurrence within 1 year after first RFCA.
Keywords: atrial fibrillation; left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity; transesophageal echocardiography.