Prognostic value of total atrial conduction time estimated with tissue Doppler imaging to predict the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation

Aims Total atrial activation time has been identified as an independent predictor of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Echocardiographic assessment of PA-TDI duration provides an estimation of total atrial conduction time. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of total atrial conduction time to predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Methods and results In 213 patients undergoing RFCA for symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal AF, the total atrial conduction time was estimated by measuring the time delay between the onset of the P-wave in lead II of the surface electrocardiogram and the peak A'-wave on the tissue Doppler tracing of the left atrial (LA) lateral wall (PA-TDI duration). After RFCA, all patients were evaluated on a systematic basis at the outpatient clinic. After a mean follow-up of 13 +/- 3 months, 74 patients (35%) had recurrent AF whereas 139 patients (65%) maintained sinus rhythm. Left atrial maximum volume index and PA-TDI duration were identified as independent predictors of AF recurrence after RFCA. However, receiver operator characteristics curve analyses demonstrated that PA-TDI duration had a superior accuracy to predict AF recurrence compared with LA maximum volume index (area under the curve 0.765 vs. 0.561, respectively). Conclusion Assessment of total atrial conduction time using tissue Doppler imaging can be used to predict AF recurrence after RFCA.