Monday, 1 September 2008 - European Heart Journal

286 Atrial fibrillation
P1893 Right ventricular rhythmic cardiomyopathy: about
patients treated by catheter ablation for atrial
fibrillation
R. Ollivier, E. Donal, D. Veillard, D. Pavin, J.-C. Daubert, P. Mabo.
Rennes, France
Background: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction is frequent and is a
well-known problem in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. No data exist in regard to the
potential involvement of the right ventricle (RV) in that rhythmic cardiomyopathy.
Aims: To determine in witch extent AF affects RV-function and -remodelling and,
if pulmonary vein isolation is efficient to improve them.
Method: We prospectively studied 30 patients (mean age: 58±10 y.o., 77% men
(23)) with paroxysmal (n=22) or persistent (n=8) AF, referred for pulmonary vein
isolation. A control group of 15 patients without any cardiac disease, matched in
age and sex, was also studied. All patients had echocardiographic study at baseline,
at discharge and at 3-months follow-up (f/u). Right ventricle study included
minimal and maximal areas, systolic excursion of the tricuspid annular plane in
M-mode (TAPSE), RV’s lateral wall peak-velocity (Sa) measured by DTI and maximal
longitudinal shortening measured by strain (ε) on RV’s lateral wall.
Results: RV’s areas weren’t different between AF patients and controls, at baseline,
nor at 3-months f/u. AF may not induce significant RV morphological remodelling.
At baseline, AF patients had lower TAPSE than controls (21.2±6.5 mm vs. 28.3±4
mm, p