Person:

Shah, Ravi

Objectives

We aimed to identify the frequency, pattern, and prognostic significance of left ventricular (LV) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background

There are limited data on the presence, pattern, and prognostic significance of LV myocardial fibrosis in patients with AF. Late gadolinium enhancement during cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a marker for myocardial fibrosis.

Methods

We studied a consecutive group of 664 patients without known prior myocardial infarction being referred for radiofrequency ablation of AF. CMR was requested to assess pulmonary venous anatomy.

Results

Overall, 73% were male, with an average age of 56 years, and an ejection fraction of 55±10%. Left ventricular LGE was found in 88 patients (13%). The endpoint was all-cause mortality, and in this cohort we observed 68 deaths over a median follow-up period of 42 months. On univariable analysis, age (HR 1.05, CI 1.03–1.08, LRχ2 15.2, p=0.0001), diabetes (HR 2.39, CI 1.41–4.09, LRχ210.3, p=0.001), a history of heart failure (HR 1.78, CI 1.09–2.91, LRχ2 5.37, p=0.02), left atrial dimension (HR 1.04, CI 1.01–1.08, LRχ2 6.47, p=0.01), presence of LGE (HR 5.08, CI 3.08–8.36, LRχ2 28.8, p<0.0001), and LGE extent (HR 1.15, CI 1.10–1.21, LRχ2 35.6, p<0.0001) provided the strongest association with mortality. The mortality rate was 8.1% per patient-years in patients with LGE vs. 2.3% patients without LGE. In the best overall multivariable model for mortality, age and the extent of LGE were independent predictors of mortality. Indeed, each 1% increase in LGE associated with a 15% increased risk of death.

Conclusions

In patients with AF, LV LGE is a frequent finding and is a powerful predictor of mortality.

Background: The factors that predict recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not completely understood. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) of the LV has been reported among patients with AF, and we aimed to test whether the presence LGE was associated with subsequent recovery of LV systolic function among patients with AF and LV dysfunction. Methods and Results: From a registry of 720 consecutive patients undergoing a cardiac magnetic resonance study prior to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), patients with LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF] <50%) were identified. The primary outcome was recovery of LVEF defined as an EF >50%; a secondary outcome was a combined outcome of subsequent heart failure (HF), admission, and death. Of 720 patients, 172 (24%) had an LVEF of <50% prior to PVI. The mean LVEF pre‐PVI was 41±6% (median 43%, range 20% to 49%). Forty‐three patients (25%) had LGE (25 [58%] ischemic), and the extent of LGE was 7.5±4% (2% to 19%). During follow‐up (mean 42 months), 91 patients (53%) had recovery of LVEF, 68 (40%) had early recurrence of AF, 65 (38%) had late AF, 18 (5%) were admitted for HF, and 23 died (13%). Factors associated with nonrecovery of LVEF were older age, history of myocardial infarction, early AF recurrence, late AF recurrence, and LGE. In a multivariable model, the presence of LGE and any recurrence of AF had the strongest association with persistence of LV dysfunction. Additionally, all patients without recurrence of AF and LGE had normalization of LVEF, and recovery of LVEF was associated with reduced HF admissions and death. Conclusions: In patients with AF and LV dysfunction undergoing PVI, the absence of LGE and AF recurrence are predictors of LVEF recovery and LVEF recovery in AF with associated reduction in subsequent death and heart failure.