Corticosteroids’ Infulence On Recurrence Of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Purpose:The objective of this study is to explore the impacts of corticosteroids on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).Methods:From January 2011 to April 2014,50 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent RFCA and then treated with corticosteroids were enrolled in this study. During the same period,37 patients with paroxysmal AF who also underwent RFAC but not treated with corticosteroids were selected as control group. The follow-up is carried out by the fixed physician at 1 week,1 month,3 months,6 months,12 months after RFCA through a telephone visit or a hospital visit including the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), the HOLTER, the query of symptoms and the interpretation of ECG outside the hospital.Result:1. The AF-free rate at 1 week post-ablation was grater in the corticosteroid group(80.0%) than in the control group (54.1%, p<0.05), the AF-free rate at 1 month post-ablation is comparable in the corticosteroid group(80%) and in the control group(67.6%, p=0.187).2. Corticosteroid treatment did not decrease AF recurrences at 12 months after RFCA.Conclusion:Transient use of small amounts of corticosteroids after AF ablation may be effective for preventing AF recurrences within 1 week after ablation but it is not effective for preventing AF recurrences at 1 month and 12 months after ablation.