title: Impact of coronary atherosclerosis on the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coronary atherosclerosis has been associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about the impact of coronary atherosclerosis on the outcome treatment of AF. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of coronary atherosclerosis on the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AF using multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 125 consecutive patients undergoing RFCA for AF, a pre-procedural MDCT examination (coronary angiography and/or coronary calcium score) was performed to evaluate the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Furthermore, all patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation to measure the left atrial size and to rule out structural heart disease. After RFCA all patients were regularly evaluated at the outpatient clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 12 ± 3 months, 78 patients (62%) had maintained stable sinus rhythm and 47 patients (38%) had recurrence of AF. Left atrial volume index was a significant predictor of AF recurrence after RFCA. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis on MDCT did not influence the efficacy of RFCA for AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of coronary atherosclerosis on MDCT is not associated with a higher risk for AF recurrence after RFCA.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Dennis W
authors: DW
authors: den Uijl
authors: Mark J
authors: MJ
authors: Boogers
authors: Marieke
authors: M
authors: Compier
authors: Serge A
authors: SA
authors: Trines
authors: Arthur J H A
authors: AJ
authors: Scholte
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Zeppenfeld
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Schalij
authors: Jeroen J
authors: JJ
authors: Bax
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Delgado
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome