Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

34.4K

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with severely impaired left ventricular systolic function

Ken Kato1, Koichiro Ejima2, Noritoshi Fukushima1,3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.

Heart and Vessels
|January 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) can improve heart function in patients with severe heart failure (HF). Maintaining sinus rhythm or paroxysmal AF after ablation significantly reduces HF hospitalizations, though repeat procedures are often needed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Heart Failure Management

Background:

  • Outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are not well-established.
  • Heart failure (HF) and AF commonly coexist, negatively impacting patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of catheter ablation for AF in patients with significantly impaired LVEF (≤ 35%).
  • To assess improvements in clinical status, echocardiographic parameters, and HF hospitalizations post-ablation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 18 patients with HF and LVEF ≤ 35% undergoing AF catheter ablation.
  • Follow-up included clinical assessment, echocardiography, and monitoring of HF hospitalizations.
  • Analysis of outcomes based on rhythm status (sinus rhythm, paroxysmal AF, persistent AF) post-ablation.

Main Results:

  • 61% of patients achieved sinus rhythm (SR) after a median follow-up of 21 months, with 9 requiring repeat procedures and 6 using amiodarone.
  • In patients achieving SR or paroxysmal AF (67%), LVEF improved significantly (25.8% to 37.0%) and NYHA class decreased (2.3 to 1.5) at 6 months.
  • Patients in SR or with paroxysmal AF experienced significantly fewer HF hospitalizations compared to those with recurrent persistent AF (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Catheter ablation of AF can improve clinical status and cardiac function in patients with severely reduced LVEF.
  • Achieving and maintaining SR or paroxysmal AF is crucial for favorable outcomes and reduced HF hospitalizations.
  • Repeat ablation procedures and antiarrhythmic drugs like amiodarone are frequently necessary for successful AF management in this high-risk population.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationCatheter ablationHeart failurePulmonary vein isolationSystolic dysfunction

More Related Videos

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology10:46

Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology

Published on: May 26, 2015

14.0K
Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation11:21

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: May 29, 2015

20.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
1.3K
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
1.1K
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
721
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
611
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
801
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management01:25

Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is when the aortic valve does not close or seal properly, leading to backward blood circulation from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Common causes of AR include rheumatic heart disease, congenital valve defects, and aortic root dilation. Managing AR requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate symptoms, preserve left ventricular function, and address the underlying cause of the regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic AR or significant left...
562