title: The impact of hypertension on the electromechanical properties and outcome of catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although hypertension is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the impact of hypertension on the electromechanical properties and outcome of catheter ablation in AF patients is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  AF patients [n=213, 136 paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients and 77 persistent AF patients] undergoing circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) isolation guided by CARTO mapping were enrolled, and then were divided into normotension group and hypertension group. Several left atrial (LA) electroanatomical parameters determined by the CARTO system were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LA bipolar voltage was lower in PAF patients with than without hypertension (1.44±1.09 vs. 1.92±0.76 mV, P=0.048); a significant difference was also observed in persistent AF patients. Hypertension significantly increased the size of the LA scar and low-voltage zones (LVZs) in both PAF and persistent AF patients. However, hypertension did not significantly affect recurrence in either PAF or persistent AF patients. The LA bipolar voltage was higher in PAF patients without recurrence than in those with recurrence (1.77±1.01 vs. 1.29±0.93 mV, P=0.048); a significant difference was also observed in persistent AF patients. PAF and persistent AF patients with AF recurrence had significantly larger LA scar and LVZs than patients without recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypertension has a significant impact on the LA electromechanical properties in AF patients, and the LA substrate has an important influence on the outcome of catheter ablation.
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Shu-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Lian-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Ze-Zhou
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Zong
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: 1 First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China ; 2 Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
keywords: Hypertension; atrial fibrillation (AF); catheter ablation; pulmonary vein (PV); radiofrequency (RF) current; voltage
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