Higher burden of supraventricular ectopic complexes early after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation

Christina Alhede, Arne Johannessen, Ulrik Dixen, Jan S. Jensen, Pekka Raatikainen, Gerhard Hindricks, Håkan Walfridsson, Ole Kongstad, Steen Pehrson, Anders Englund, Juha Hartikainen, Peter Steen Hansen, Jens C. Nielsen, Christian Jons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Early identification of patients who could benefit from early re-intervention after catheter ablation is highly warranted. Our aim was to investigate the association between post-procedural burden of supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) and the risk of long-term atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. A total of 125 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF were included. Patients underwent 7-day Holter recordings immediately post-procedural. The number of SVEC in post-procedural Holter recordings was categorized into quartiles: 0-72, 73-212, 213-782 and≥783 SVEC/day. Long-term AF recurrence was defined as a combined endpoint of AF≥1 min during follow-up Holter recordings, cardioversion or hospitalization for AF after a 3-month blanking period and within 24 months of follow-up. High post-procedural supraventricular ectopy burden was associated with an increased risk of long-term AF recurrence in a dose-dependent manner (≥783 SVEC: HR 4.6 [1.9-11.5], P<0.001) irrespective of AF recurrence during the blanking period or other risk factors. In patients with early AF recurrence<90 days after catheter ablation ectopy burden was also highly predictive of long-term AF recurrence (SVEC≥213: HR 3.0 [1.3-6.7], P=0.007). Correspondingly, patients with early AF recurrence but low ectopy burden remained at low risk of long-term AF recurrence after the blanking period. Our results indicate that post-procedural ectopy burden is highly associated with long-term AF recurrence and could be a potent risk marker for selection of patients for early re-ablation. Development of future ablation risk stratification and strategies should include focus on post-procedural ectopy burden.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)50-57
Number of pages8
JournalEuropace
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jan 1
Externally publishedYes

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems

Free keywords

  • Arrhythmia
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial premature complexes
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment

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