Associations among the CHADS(2) score, atrial substrate properties, and outcome of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Heart Rhythm. 2011 Aug;8(8):1155-9. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.03.016. Epub 2011 Mar 12.

Abstract

Background: The CHADS₂ score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75 years, diabetes, and previous stroke/transient ischemic attack) is used for the risk stratification of strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between the CHADS₂ score, atrial substrate, and outcome of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods: A total of 247 paroxysmal AF patients who received catheter ablation were enrolled. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their CHADS₂ score (group 1: score 0, group 2: score 1 to 2, and group 3: score 3 to 6). The bi-atrial substrate properties and outcome of catheter ablation were analyzed.

Results: The CHADS₂ scores in these 3 groups were 0 (group 1), 1.24 ± 0.48 (group 2), and 3.60 ± 0.83 (group 3), respectively. The left atrial voltage became lower (group 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 = 2.08 ± 0.73 mV vs. 1.80 ± 0.81 mV vs. 1.06 ± 0.69 mV) and the activation time longer (group 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 = 93.4 ± 17.7 ms vs. 101.9 ± 21.2 ms vs. 112.2 ± 21.7 ms), whereas the CHADS₂ score increased. During a follow-up of 17.3 ± 7.0 months, 23.1% of the study population suffered from recurrences. The recurrence rates of these 3 groups were 13.0% (group 1), 27.6% (group 2), and 45.9% (group 3), respectively. The groups of different CHADS₂ scores remained as the independent predictor of recurrence in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: A high CHADS₂ score was associated with different left atrial substrate properties and a poor outcome after catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Assessment