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Published on: July 20, 2022
Echocardiographic Mitral Annular Calcification is Associated With Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter
Yan Yao1, Zhihui Zhang2, Jia Xue1
1Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
There is a significant relation between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the influence of MAC on the outcome of AF ablation remains unknown. The study cohort included 785 consecutive patients who underwent successful ablation. AF recurrence was monitored 3 months after ablation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between MAC and AF recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to calculate the incidence of AF recurrence. Over a follow-up period of 16 ± 10 months, 190 patients (24.2%) experienced AF recurrence after ablation. MAC by echocardiography was identified in 42 patients (22%) with AF recurrence but only 60 without (10%, p <0.001). Patients with MAC were older (p <0.001), more often women (p <0.001), with a higher prevalence of hypertension (p <0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (p <0.001), larger left atrial dimension (p <0.001), and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (p <0.001). Patients with MAC were more likely to develop AF recurrence than those without (36% vs 22%, respectively, p = 0.002). MAC was significantly associated with AF recurrence in the unadjusted analysis (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 2.58, p <0.001) and remained statistically significant after the multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.95, p = 0.001). In conclusion, echocardiographic MAC is significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after successful ablation, demonstrating an independent predictive value other than the established risk factors.
Insights
Mitral annular calcification (MAC) increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after ablation. Echocardiographic MAC is an independent predictor of AF recurrence, even beyond established risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) and adverse cardiovascular events.
- The impact of MAC on AF ablation outcomes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MAC and AF recurrence following successful ablation.
- To determine if MAC independently predicts AF recurrence post-ablation.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 785 patients undergoing successful AF ablation was analyzed.
- Echocardiography was used to assess MAC.
- Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated AF recurrence over a 16-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- AF recurrence occurred in 24.2% of patients.
- MAC was present in 22% of patients with recurrence versus 10% without (p <0.001).
- MAC was significantly associated with increased AF recurrence (HR 1.48, p=0.001) after multivariate adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiographic MAC is a significant predictor of AF recurrence after ablation.
- MAC provides independent predictive value for AF recurrence beyond known risk factors.
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