Evaluating The Change Of Left Atrial Function In The Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Underwent Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation By The Left Atrial Function Index

Objective:To evaluate the change of left atrial(LA) function with the left atrial function index(LAFI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA) using echocardiography. Methods:Echocardiography was performed for 30 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who underwent RFCA pre-operation, 3 days, 1 months, 3 months and 6 months after operation. LA anteroposterior diameter(LAD), early and late diastolic transmitral flow velocity and ratio(E, A and E/A), the peak velocity of pulmonary vein and ratio(S, D, Ar and S/D) and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral(LVOT-VTI) were measured by conventional echocardiography. Mitral annular motion velocity and ratio(Ea,Aa and Ea/Aa) were measured by tissue Doppler. The LA maximal, minimal and pre-systolic volume(LAVmax, LAVmin and LAVp) were measured by real time three-dimensional echocardiograph(RT-3DE) respectively. LA passive ejection fraction(LAPEF), LA active ejection fraction(LAAEF), LA ejection fraction(LAEF) and LAFI were calculated. Results:Comparing with preoperative, 3 days post-ablation LAFI had a downward trend,but there was no statistical significance(P>0.05), A and Aa were decreased(P<0.05). After 1 months, LAFI, LAAEF and LAEF were improved(P<0.05). After 3 months, LAFI was improved, LAD and volume parameters were decreased, and LAAEF, LAEF, LAPEF, A and Aa were improved(P<0.05). After 6months, LAFI was significantly improved, LAD, volume parameters, and D were significantly decreased, and LAAEF, LAEF, LAPEF, A, Aa and S were significantly improved(P<0.05). Conclusion:LA function was in a deterioration three days after RFCA. LA function was improved partly and recovering slowly 1 month after RFCA, and noticeable improvement can be observed 3 and 6 months after RFCA. LAFI is a valuable indicator for evaluating LA function in patients with AF before and after RFCA.