J Cardiothorac Surg
-
J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2013
Impact of epicardial ablation of concomitant atrial fibrillation on atrial natriuretic peptide levels and atrial function in 6 months follow-up: does preoperative ANP level predict outcome of ablation?
Epicardial ablation concomitant to cardiac surgery is an easy and safe approach to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), but its efficacy in longstanding persistent (LsPe) AF remains intermediate. Although larger left atrial size has been associated with worse outcome after ablation, biochemical predictors of success are not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between biochemical marker, echo-characteristic and cardiac rhythm in 6 months follow-up after epicardial ultrasound (HIFU) ablation. ⋯ Our results indicate that preoperative ANP levels may be a new biochemical predictor of successful epicardial ablation in patients with concomitant LsPeAF. HIFU ablation caused a significant improvement of atrial mechanical function and gradual increase of AFF and did not associate with alteration of atrial endocrine secretion at 6 months follow-up.