Left Atrial Diastolic Dysfunction following Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA)-induced thermal injury may cause and/or worsen left atrial (LA) diastolic dysfunction leading to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the incidence of which is probably more common than is generally realized. Biplane 2-dimensional echocardiography coupled with tissue Doppler (velocity) imaging and Doppler-derived strain (rate) imaging can be applied to provide quantitative assessment of the LA function (both systolic and diastolic) relative to pulmonary venous circulation and left ventricular function. Information so obtained is useful for guiding follow-up management of patients undergoing RFCA of AF.