Risk Factors Of Recurrence Of Valvular Atrial Fibrillation After Surgical Radiofrequency Ablation

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.Methods Retrospective analysis was made in255cardiac valve patients undergoing concomitant radiofrequency modified Maze operation from April2010to December2012in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for predicting recurrence of AF.Results Excluding8patients died after surgery,11cases who were junctional rhythm after ablation or received pacemaker implantation and60(23.5) lost case,176patients were finished follow-up.107cases maintained stable sinus rhythm (SR), whereas other69cases developed AF recurrence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found larger left atrial size, higher B-type natriuretic peptide, lower preoperative heart rate and postoperative AF rhythm before discharge were independent risk factors for predicting AF recurrence.Conclusion Larger left atrial size, higher B-type natriuretic peptide and lower preoperative heart rate before surgery can impact outcome of surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery after following12(4-38)months. They can be used in clinical practice to choose more suitable cardiac valve patients with AF for surgical ablation. Postoperative appearance of AF rhythm before discharge indicated a poor prognosis, which should be interfered with drugs or electrical cardioversion.