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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
A decrease in serum aldosterone level is associated with maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion
Beata Wozakowska-Kaplon1, Radoslaw Bartkowiak, Grazyna Janiszewska
11st Clinical Department of Cardiology, Swietokrzyskie Centre of Cardiology in Kielce, Kielce, Poland. bw.kaplon@poczta.onet.pl
Successful cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to a significant drop in aldosterone levels. A decrease in aldosterone post-cardioversion predicts maintaining sinus rhythm, aiding AF management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system's role in atrial fibrillation (AF) progression is known.
- Aldosterone's specific impact on AF structural remodeling requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess serum aldosterone concentration changes after successful cardioversion of persistent AF.
- To determine the prognostic significance of aldosterone level fluctuations post-cardioversion.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 45 patients with nonvalvular persistent AF undergoing cardioversion.
- Serum aldosterone levels measured 24 hours before and 24 hours after cardioversion.
- Patients were categorized based on sinus rhythm maintenance at 30 days post-cardioversion.
Main Results:
- Forty-three patients were successfully cardioverted; 24 maintained sinus rhythm (Group A), 19 relapsed (Group B).
- Group A showed a significant aldosterone decrease (175.6 to 101.4 pg/mL) post-cardioversion (P=0.0034).
- Aldosterone decrease >13.2 pg/mL predicted sinus rhythm maintenance with 87% sensitivity and 64% specificity.
Conclusions:
- A significant fall in aldosterone concentration 24 hours post-cardioversion correlates with sustained sinus rhythm.
- Aldosterone level changes offer prognostic value for AF recurrence after cardioversion.
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