Changes in Renal Function in Patients with Recurrence of Atrial Arrhythmia after an Initial Catheter Ablation

Impaired renal function and atrial fibrillation (AF) can form a vicious cycle. Although there have been reports on improved renal function in patients who undergo successful AF ablation, renal function in patients with recurrence of AF has not been studied separately. We explored the changes in renal function in recurrent AF patients after catheter ablation with mild renal dysfunction and the influencing factors.

We retrospectively recruited nonvalvular AF (NVAF) patients with mildly impaired renal function admitted for catheter ablation and readmitted due to recurrence of AF. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated before the index procedure and during readmission. △eGFR was defined as the difference between eGFR _readmission and eGFR _baseline. The same calculation applied for △CHA₂DS₂-VASc score. The primary endpoint was improved renal function (△eGFR >0) after AF catheter ablation in patients with atrial arrhythmia recurrence.

A total of 132 NVAF patients were included in this study. The mean eGFR at readmission was significantly increased compared with the eGFR at baseline before the index ablation procedure (81.5 ± 1.1 vs. 78.0 ± 0.7 ml/min/1.73 m², P < 0.001). The multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that a lower △CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (HR: 0.42, P=0.003) and paroxysmal recurrent atrial arrhythmia (HR: 2.97, P=0.001) were associated with better renal function.

In NVAF patients with mildly impaired renal function, even those with recurrence after the initial catheter ablation, we observed improvements in renal function, which was associated with a lower △CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and paroxysmal recurrent arrhythmia.