Inflammatory Burden Index Associated with Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) remain high after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), and inflammation plays an important role in the process. Inflammatory burden index (IBI) as a new inflammatory marker has been found to be associated with worse prognosis in cardiovascular disease. But there are no studies on its role in predicting AF recurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the value of IBI in predicting recurrence of AF after RFCA.

This was a single-center retrospective observational study. Consecutive enrolment of PersAF who underwent first-time radiofrequency ablation between January 2021 and June 2024. Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) was calculated as C-reactive protein (CRP) × neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR).

A total of 142 (27.2%) patients experienced recurrence after RFCA. Multivariate analysis showed that PersAF (OR = 1.599; 95% CI: 1.028 ~ 2.486, p = 0.018), CHA₂DS₂-VASc score≥2 (OR = 1.769; 95% CI: 1.142 ~ 2.741, p = 0.011), LAD (OR = 1.098; 95% CI: 1.054 ~ 1.145, p < 0.001) and IBI (OR = 1.028; 95% CI: 1.007 ~ 1.050, p = 0.009), were independent predictors of recurrence. ROC analysis shows superiority of IBI (AUC=0.695, 95% CI: 0.647 ~ 0.743, p < 0.001) over CRP and NLR in predicting AF recurrence. When IBI was integrated into the traditional model (including PersAF, LAD and CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score), the discrimination and reclassification accuracy for the recurrence were significantly improved.

Inflammatory load index associated with the recurrence of AF after RFCA. Integration of IBI can improve the model about the recurrence of AF after RFCA.