Radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced heart failure and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether or not radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced heart failure leads to improvements in cardiac function.


METHODS
Patients were recruited from heart failure outpatient clinics in Scotland.


METHODS
Patients with advanced heart failure and severe left ventricular dysfunction were randomised to RFA (rhythm control) or continued medical treatment (rate control). Patients were followed up for a minimum of 6&emsp14;months.


METHODS
Change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by cardiovascular MRI.


RESULTS
22 patients were randomised to RFA and 19 to medical treatment. In the RFA group, 50% of patients were in sinus rhythm at the end of the study (compared with none in the medical treatment group). The increase in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) LVEF in the RFA group was 4.5±11.1% compared with 2.8±6.7% in the medical treatment group (p=0.6). The RFA group had a greater increase in radionuclide LVEF (a prespecified secondary end point) than patients in the medical treatment group (+8.2±12.0% vs +1.4±5.9%; p=0.032). RFA did not improve N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, 6&emsp14;min walk distance or quality of life. The rate of serious complications related to RFA was 15%.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA resulted in long-term restoration of sinus rhythm in only 50% of patients. RFA did not improve CMR LVEF compared with a strategy of rate control. RFA did improve radionuclide LVEF but did not improve other secondary outcomes and was associated with a significant rate of serious complications.
Golden Jubilee NationalHospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. michaelrossmacdonald@yahoo.com
Michael R
MR
MacDonald
Derek T
DT
Connelly
Nathaniel M
NM
Hawkins
Tracey
T
Steedman
John
J
Payne
Morag
M
Shaw
Martin
M
Denvir
Sai
S
Bhagra
Sandy
S
Small
William
W
Martin
John J V
JJ
McMurray
Mark C
MC
Petrie
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D054143:Heart Failure, Systolic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D011788:Quality of Life; D015635:Radionuclide Ventriculography; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain