Predictors of the voltage derived left atrial fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Left atrial (LA) arrhythmogenic substrate beyond the pulmonary veins (PV) seems to play a crucial role in the maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of selected parameters with the presence and extent of voltage-defined LA fibrosis in patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) undergoing catheter ablation.

One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients underwent high density-high resolution voltage mapping of the LA with a multielectrode catheter following PV isolation and restoration of sinus rhythm with cardioversion. A non-invasive dataset, such as clinical variables, two-and three-dimensional echocardiography determined LA size and function and fibrillatory-wave amplitude on a standard surface electrocardiogram were obtained during AF before ablation.

Low-voltage areas (LVA; 15 cm² [IQR 8-31]) were detected in 56% of patients. Twenty nine percent of them presented mild, 43% moderate and 28% severe global LVA burden. In univariate analysis, age ≥ 57 years old, female sex, body surface area ≤ 1.76 m², valvular heart disease, moderate mitral regurgitation, chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 predicted the presence of LVA. In multivariate analysis only female sex, valvular heart disease and CHA₂DS₂-VASc ≥ 4 remained statistically significant. AF duration, LA size and function and fibrillatory-waves amplitude were neither associated with the prediction of the LVA, nor severe LVA burden.

A LSPAF diagnosis does not indicate the presence of voltage defined fibrosis in many cases. Simple non-invasive screening of the LSPAF population could predict LVA prevalence.