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The effects of renal sympathetic denervation in the left atrium enlargement after pulmonary vein isolation

Márcio Galindo Kiuchi

Department of Medicine, Division of Artificial Cardiac Stimulation, Hospital e Clínica São Gonçalo, São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil

Department of Cardiology, Elisabethinen University Teaching Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria

E-mail : bhuvaneswari.bibleraaj@uhsm.nhs.uk

Shaojie Chen

Department of Cardiology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

Department of Cardiology, Elisabethinen University Teaching Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria

Luis Marcelo Rodrigues Paz

Department of Medicine, Division of Artificial Cardiac Stimulation, Hospital e Clínica São Gonçalo, São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil

Helmut Pürerfellner

Department of Cardiology, Elisabethinen University Teaching Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria

DOI: 10.15761/JIC.1000221

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Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) disturbs around 2% of people worldwide, and this percentage will increase in the next 50 years. Recently a study reported that renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) reduces AF recurrences when combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: We aim to evaluate the impact of RSD in patients underwent PVI previously due paroxysmal AF (PAF) in the left atrium (LA) progression of the diameter and volume rates evaluated by the transthoracic echocardiography. We enrolled 85 patients, identified in our offices, with PAF that undergone PVI, who were followed during 1 year, being the AF recurrence, reported.  At the 12th month of monitoring, we analyzed the data retrospectively, and 2 groups were created: Non AF recurrence (n=53) and AF recurrence (n=32). At this time point, sixteen individuals aleatory underwent RSD (seven from non AF recurrence group and nine from AF recurrence group) and were followed for 6 months (18th month of monitoring). The other 69 subjects were just observed during the same period.

Results: The LA growth rate/month for non RSD group was 0.83±0.44 and 0.22±1.16 mm/month for the RSD group (P<0.0001), and LA distension rate/month for non RSD group was 3.43±0.94 and 2.20±2.71 mL/m2/month for the RSD group (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Our results show that the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, the LA growth rate/month and the LA distension rate/month for non RSD group were significantly higher than for the RSD group.

Key words

atrial fibrillation; echocardiogram; left atrium; pulmonary vein isolation; renal sympathetic denervation.

Abbreviations

ABPM: ambulatory blood pressure measurements; AF: atrial fibrillation; BP: blood pressure; ∆: variation; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; LA: left atrium; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; PAF: paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; PVI: pulmonary vein isolation; RSD: renal sympathetic denervation

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 2% of the population worldwide, and this percentage will increase in the next 50 years [1,2]. The perfect tactic for the handling of AF is rhythm control, but this is sometimes very hard to accomplish [3]. Pokushalov and colleagues [4] in recent times described that renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) reduces AF recurrences when joined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Pointing of the pulmonary veins (PVs) and/or the PV antrum is the keystone for best AF ablation procedures. If the PVs are under fire, whole electrical PVI should be the aim of the process. For such procedures, total electrical split-up of all PVs is presently extensively established as the top endpoint. An approach using the percutaneous catheter-based distribution of radiofrequency energy was freshly settled to interrupt the sympathetic renal innervation. This procedure wide-open no severe vascular or renal technical hitches in the long term (up to 36 months). The aim of this study was to assesss the impact of RSD in patients underwent PVI previously due paroxysmal AF (PAF) in the left atrium (LA) progression of the diameter and volume rates evaluated by the transthoracic echocardiography.

Materials and methods

Study design

This study was piloted at the Department of Cardiac Artificial Stimulation and Cardiac Surgery of the Hospital e Clínica São Gonçalo, São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in partnership with Elisabethinen Krankenhaus, Linz, Austria. A cohort of patients received pulmonary vein isolation for AF treatment. 

Patients were followed for one year and a half after the implant procedure. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) mean 24-hour systolic ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) of ≥100 and <130 mmHg, (ii) essential hypertension for more than a year. Hypertension is defined as office blood pressure (BP) values ≥140 mmHg systolic BP and/or ≥90 mmHg diastolic BP, based on the confirmation from randomized controlled trials that in subjectss with these BP values treatment-induced BP diminutions are advantageous or as mean 24-hour ABPM ≥130 mmHg for systolic BP and/or ≥80 mmHg for diastolic BP [21], (iii) age between 18 and 80 years; (iv) structurally normal heart to cardiac magnetic resonance, myocardial scintigraphy or coronary angiography, without ischemia, fibrosis area or any other disease; (v) a physically normal heart with an ejection fraction of >50% as measured by echocardiography (Simpson’s method), (vi) patients underwent PVI due to paroxysmal AF (PAF, well-defined as AF events lasting <7 days with spontaneous termination, and (vii) the capability to read, understand, and sign the informed consent term, as well attend the clinical tests.

Exclusion criteria were: (i) pregnancy; (ii) valvular sickness with substantial adversative sequelae; (iii) unstable angina, myocardial infarction, transitory ischemic attack or stroke within the 6 months previously the procedure; (iv) renovascular anomalies; (v) psychiatric illness; (vi) allergy to ionic contrast; (vii) the inability to be followed clinically; (viii) a known addiction to substances that disturbs the intellect; (ix) congestive heart failure into functional class II to IV symptoms in acordance to New York Heart Association; and (xi) a transverse left atrial diameter (LAD) >55 mm on transthoracic echocardiography.

The enrollment of the participants began in January 2013 and ended in June 2015. We enrolled 85 patients, identified in our offices, with PAF that undergone PVI, who were followed during 1 year, being the AF recurrence, reported.  At the 12th month of monitoring, we analyzed the data retrospectively, and 2 groups were created: Non AF recurrence (n=53) and AF recurrence (n=32). At this time point, sixteen individuals aleatory underwent RSD (seven from non AF recurrence group and nine from AF recurrence group) and were followed for 6 months (18th month of monitoring). The other 69 subjects were just observed during the same period. The study was shepherded in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was permitted by the Ethics Committee of our hospital. All individuals delivered written informed consent before inclusion in the investigation. This study was blind, the clinician responsible for follow-up and other parameter assessments, was not aware of whether RSD had been performed.

Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring, twenty-four hour ABPM, and transthoracic echocardiography

These procedures were previously reported in detail by our group [22].

Pulmonary vein isolation and renal sympathetic denervation

These procedures were reported in detail previously by other manuscripts [6,22,23].

Follow-up patients

The patients were evaluated quarterly after PVI to observe AF recurrence or not, by physical examination in the office, electrocardiogram, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and transthoracic echocardiogram, during one year. From 12th to 18th month, the subjects were evaluated quarterly by physical examination in the office and semiannually by transthoracic echocardiogram. All patients that required anticoagulation were using dabigatran at 150 or 110 mg twice a day, according to the recommendation. The patients were considered anticoagulated owing to the profile and mechanism of action of this new anticoagulant.

Statistical analysis

All individuals enrolled were comprised in the analysis. The results were expressed as the mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) in the case of normal distribution and as median with interquartile range otherwise. Statistical tests were all of two sides. Comparisons between the two paired values were performed by paired t-test in case of a Gaussian distribution or alternatively, by Wilcoxon test. The comparisons between more than two values paired values were performed by analysis of variance for repeated measures ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate, complemented by a post hoc test. Frequencies were compared with x2 or Fisher's exact tests. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Correlations between two variables were performed by Pearson in the case of a Gaussian distribution or, alternatively, with the Spearman correlation test. All statistical analyzes were performed using the program Graphpad Prism v 7.0 (Graphpad software, La Jolla, CA, USA).

Results

Patients

The 85 individuals who had all the inclusion criteria were comprised in the evaluation. The baseline features divided by AF recurrence or not, into two groups, are meticulously displayed in Table 1. From these 85 patients, 53 (62%) did not develop a new PAF onset after PVI, while 32 subjects (38%) presented AF recurrence during the 12 months of monitoring.

Table 1. Baseline features 

Parameters

     Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

P value

N

85

53

32

---

Age, years

54.11±7.80

53.58±7.47

54.97±8.36

0.4311

Body mass index, kg/m2

26.92±1.75

26.79±1.86

27.13±1.56

0.4003

Male gender (%)

62 (73%)

35 (66%)

27 (84%)

0.0807

White ethnicity (%)

62 (73%)

42 (79%)

20 (63%)

0.1304

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

26 (31%)

17 (32%)

9 (28%)

0.8099

Creatinine, mg/dL

0.95±0.08

0.93±0.11

0.98±0.09

0.0330

eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2

89.82±8.47

92.53±9.45

88.70±6.97

0.0350

Albumin:creatinine ratio, mg/g

18.76±8.19

18.30±7.70

19.53±9.03

0.5060

Antihypertensive

 

 

 

 

    ACE-inhibitors/ARB

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

    Diuretics

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

    DHP Ca++ channel blockers

17 (20%)

10 (19%)

7 (22%)

0.7837

    β-blockers

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

Mean 24-hour ABPM, mmHg

117±5/70±4

116±5/69±4

117±6/71±5

0.6168/0.3834

Values are expressed as mean ± SD or %; ABPM, ambulatory blood pressure measurements; ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; AF, atrial fibrillation; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; DHP, dihydropyridine; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Echocardiographic parameters

One year of follow-up (from baseline to 12th month): At baseline, we can observe that the difference of LA diameter from subjects that did not present AF recurrence is lower than in those ones that AF recurred, as shown in Table 2. We also can see that LA variation (∆) growth at each 6 months is different between the 6th and the 12th months for both groups, but did not differ between groups. However, the LA growth rate per month did not differ between groups. The same was observed regarding the difference of indexed LA volume from subjects that did not present AF recurrence, showing lower LA volume, that those ones that AF recurred, as shown in Table 2. The indexed LA volume also increased along the time in comparison to baseline values, into the same group. The LA ∆ distension at each 6 months is different between the 6th and the 12th months only for the group whom AF recurred. And, the LA growth distension rate per month did not differ between groups.

Table 2. Left atrium evaluation during one year of follow-up.

 

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

 

Baseline

6th month

12th month

N

85

53

32

85

53

32

85

53

32

LA diameter, mm

45.94±3.59

44.08±2.26

49.03±3.26

47.35±3.54

45.48±2.21

50.43±3.17

49.03±3.26**

46.07±2.23*

51.05±3.16

∆LA growth, mm/6 months

---

---

---

1.41±0.20

1.41±0.19

1.40±0.22

0.60±0.14+++

0.59±0.14+++

0.62±0.13+++

LA growth rate, mm/month

---

---

---

---

---

---

0.08±0.04

0.08±0.03

0.08±0.04

Indexed LA volume, mL/m2

40.59±5.30

37.89±2.67

45.06±5.58

44.55±5.30***

41.87±2.74**

48.98±5.57*†

48.70±5.32***

46.01±2.78***

53.18±5.53***†

∆LA distension, mL/m2/6 months

---

 

---

3.96±0.37

 

3.99±0.39

 

3.91±0.33

 

4.16±0.26++

 

4.13±0.23

 

4.20±0.31+

 

LA distension rate, mL/m2/month

---

---

---

---

---

---

0.34±0.03

0.34±0.03

0.35±0.04

Values are presented as mean ± SD. ***P<0.0001, **P<0.001, *P<0.05 vs. baseline value into the same group; P<0.0001 for non AF vs.AF recurrence at the same time point; +P<0.05, ++P<0.001, +++P<0.0001 for 6th vs.12th recurrence into the same group. AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

Six months of follow-up (from RSD at 12th month till 18th month): Table 3 shows even some patients had undergone RSD in AF recurrence group the LA diameter at the 18th month of monitoring is still higher than that observed in the 12th month, into the same group, and higher than the LA diameter presented by non AF recurrence group at the end of follow-up.  The LA ∆ growth at each 6 months is slower at the 18th month compared to the 12th month for both groups but did not differ between groups. However, at the end of monitoring the LA growth rate per month is slower just in the AF recurrence group in comparison to 12th month, but did not differ between groups.  Table 3 also shows that the indexed LA volume did not change in comparison to 12th month, but was different between groups. The LA ∆ distension at each 6 months is slower between the 18th and the 12th months for both groups. And finally, the LA growth distension rate per month at the end of follow-up, in comparison to 12th month, was slower only in the AF recurrence group.

Table 3. Left atrium evaluation after renal sympathetic denervation during 6 months of follow-up.

 

 

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

 

18th month (6th month after  renal sympathetic denervation  performance)

N

85

53

32

LA diameter, mm

48.09±3.74

46.34±2.48

50.99±3.70***†

∆LA growth, mm/6 months

0.14±0.72***

0.26±0.63*

0.07±0.76***

LA growth rate, mm/month

0.02±0.12**

0.04±0.11

0.01±0.13*

Indexed LA volume, mL/m2

50.18±5.75

47.71±3.45

54.28±6.47

∆LA distension, mL/m2/6 months

1.48±1.51***

1.70±1.34***

1.10±1.72***

LA distension rate, mL/m2/month

0.25±0.25*

0.28±0.22

0.18±0.29*

Values are presented as mean ± SD. ***P<0.0001, **P<0.001, *P<0.05 vs. 12th month value into the same group; P<0.0001 for non AF vs.AF recurrence at the 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

RSD effects measurements

Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we evaluated 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure, and 16 subjects underwent RSD. At baseline, 6th, 12th, and 18th month of monitoring the non RSD group presented the mean LA diameter of 46.28±3.59, 47.69±3.54, 48.29±3.56 (P=0.0187 vs. baseline), and 48.77±3.52 mm (P=0.0010 vs. baseline), respectively, as well as the RSD group,  presented the mean LA diameter of 44.50±3.37, 45.88±3.22, 46.48±3.26, and 45.15±3.29 mm, respectively. The only significant difference between groups was found in the 18th month (P=0.0056), as shown in Figure 1A. The LA ∆ growth at each 6 months at the 6th, 12th and 18th month in the non RSD group was 1.41±0.19, 0.60±0.14, and 0.48±0.14 mm/6 months, respectively (P<0.0001 for 18th and 12th vs. 6th month, and 18th vs. 12th month), and in the RSD group was 1.38±0.25, 0.60±0.15, and -1.33±0.12 mm/6 months, respectively (P<0.0001 for 18th and 12th vs. 6th month, and 18th vs. 12th month). At the 18th month the comparison between groups was significant (P<0.0001), as shown in Figure 1B. The LA growth rate for non RSD group was 0.83±0.44 and 0.22±1.16 mm/month for the RSD group (P<0.0001), as shown in Figure 1C.

Figure 1: Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we assessed 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure and 16 subjects underwent RSD. Monitoring of LA diameter (A), LA ∆ (variation) growth at each 6 months (B), and LA growth rate/month (C) was done at baseline, 6th, 12th and 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

At baseline, 6th, 12th, and 18th month of monitoring the non RSD group presented the mean LA volume of 41.01±5.30, 44.99±5.31, 49.12±5.32, and 51.30±5.35 mL/m2 (P<0.0001 vs. baseline values), respectively, as well as the RSD group,  presented the mean LA volume of 38.75±5.07, 42.65±4.96, 46.90±5.08, and 45.34±4.94 mL/m2, respectively. The only significant difference between groups was found in the 18th month (P=0.0014), as shown in Figure 2A. The LA ∆ distension rate at each 6 months at the 6th, 12th and 18th month in the non RSD group was 3.97±0.35, 4.14±0.27, and 2.18±0.33 mL/m2/6 months, respectively (P=0.0330 for 12th vs. 6th month, P<0.0001 for 18th vs. 6th month, and 18th vs. 12th month), and in the RSD group was 3.90±0.44, 4.25±0.24, and -1.56±0.34 mL/m2/6 months, respectively (P=0.0299 for 12th vs. 6th month, P<0.0001 for 18th vs. 6th month, and 18th vs. 12th month). At the 18th month the comparison between groups was significant (P<0.0001), as shown in Figure 2B. The LA distension rate for non RSD group was 3.43±0.94 and 2.20±2.71 mL/m2/month for the RSD group (P<0.0001), as shown in Figure 2C.

Figure 2: Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we assessed 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure and 16 subjects underwent RSD. Monitoring of LA volume (A), LA ∆ (variation) distension at each 6 months (B), and LA distension rate/month (C) was done at baseline, 6th, 12th and 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

Discussion

In the present study, we demonstrate that AF recurrence is higher in patients underwent PVI (38%) during 12 months of monitoring. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI equation, which is known to perform better for a larger range of GFR values [5]. The adopted protocol [6] for denervation involved the delivery of a higher number of ablative lesions per artery than in previous studies [7,8] and an irrigated catheter with the more wide contact area.  Sympathetic activation is a trademark of the essential hypertensive state happening early in the clinical course of the disease, even in the controlled patients [9-11]. The mechanisms of the hyperadrenergic state are manifold and include reflex and neurohumoral pathways [9,10,12]. The adrenergic activation has an opposing influence on cardiovascular morbidity and, in the case of renal failure, also on cardiovascular mortality [9,10,13,14]. We believe that this overactivity from the essential hypertensive state is in part contained by anti-hypertensive agents because patients sustain a normotensive state. The break of this vicious feedback cycle, which diminishes this sympathetic overactivity and the feedback of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system-loop [15], may at least in part explain our findings regarding the impact of RSD in the progression of the LA diameter and volume rates evaluated by the transthoracic echocardiography. Angiotensin II can upsurge atrial pressure, supporter atrial fibrosis, and modify ion channels, all of which are involved in atrial organizational and electrical altering resulting in AF [16]. Polymorphisms in mechanisms of this pathway have been connected to the progress of AF [17]. The expression of angiotensin-converting enzymes is augmented in the atria during AF [16], and management with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, as well as, angiotensin receptor blocker decreases the ocurrence of AF [18].

The association of RSD with PVI had an encouraging effect on AF recurrence. Once PVI was achieved, the prevailing originating source was eradicated. As the patients in our study were controlled hypertensive individuals, we believe that in the subjects without CKD we reached the reduction of the sympathetic and the feedback loop of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. An engorged atrial dimension modifies the electro-anatomic substrate with the existence of augmented non-uniform anisotropy and a conduction disruption, which could promote AF [19]. Fibrosis in the LA has a vital role in defining the changing aspects of AF, which could exist as a newscaster for reentrant paths and change wavefront promulgation, causing fractionated electrograms, wavebreaks, and conduction intervals [20].

Evaluating LA behavior during 1 year, the LA growth rate per month did not differ between groups, as well as, the difference of indexed LA volume from subjects that did not present AF recurrence, showing lower LA volume, that those ones that AF recurred. The LA ∆ distension at each 6 months is different between the 6th and the 12th months only for the group whom AF recurred.  The LA ∆ distension at each 6 months is different between the 6th and the 12th months only for the group whom AF recurred. Some patients had undergone RSD in AF recurrence group showed the LA diameter at the 18th month of monitoring still higher than that observed in the 12th month, into the same group, and higher than the LA diameter presented by non AF recurrence group at the end of follow-up.  However, at the end of monitoring the LA growth rate per month is slower just in the AF recurrence group in comparison to 12th month, but did not differ between groups. The indexed LA volume did not change in comparison to 12th month but was different between groups. The LA ∆ distension at each 6 months is slower between the 18th and the 12th months for both groups. And finally, the LA growth distension rate per month at the end of follow-up, in comparison to 12th month, was slower only in the AF recurrence group [21-23].

Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we evaluated 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure, and 16 subjects underwent RSD. Regarding the LA growth rate at each 6 months, the only significant difference between groups was found in the 18th month of monitoring, showing slower growth in those ones underwent RSD. The LA growth rate/month for non RSD group was significantly higher than for the RSD group. The RSD group presented the mean LA volume significant different between groups at the 18th month (P=0.0014), and the LA ∆ distension rate at each 6 months at in the non RSD group was higher in comparison to RSD group at the 18th month of monitoring (P<0.0001). The LA distension rate/month for non RSD group was higher than for the RSD group (P<0.0001).

Conclusion

Our results show that the LA growth rate/month and the LA distension rate/month are slower in AF recurrence group, at least in part, because it comprises some patients had undergone RSD. Moreover, evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, the LA growth rate/month and the LA distension rate/month for non RSD group were significantly higher than for the RSD group.

Author contributions

  • Conception and design of the research: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi, Shaojie Chen, and Helmut Pürerfellner
  • Procedures: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi
  • Acquisition of data: Luis Marcelo Rodrigues Paz
  • Analysis and interpretation of  the data: Shaojie Chen and Márcio Galindo Kiuchi
  • Statistical analysis: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi
  • Obtaining funding: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi and Luis Marcelo Rodrigues Paz
  • Drafting of the manuscript: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi, Shaojie Chen, and Helmut Pürerfellner
  • Critical revision of the manuscript for significant intellectual content: Márcio Galindo Kiuchi, Shaojie Chen, and Helmut Pürerfellner
  • 2021 Copyright OAT. All rights reserv
  • Supervision: Helmut Pürerfellner

Conflict of interests

All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all participants of this study and Pacemed by technical support.

Funding

The study was sponsored by health plans in the state of Rio de Janeiro and the Pacemed (US$ 300,000).

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  22. Kiuchi MG, Chen S, E Silva GR, Rodrigues Paz LM, Kiuchi T, et al. (2017) The addition of renal sympathetic denervation to pulmonary vein isolation reduces recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in chronic kidney disease patients. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 48: 215-222. [Crossref]
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Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief

Massimo Fioranelli
Guglielmo Marconi University

Article Type

Research Article

Publication history

Received date: June 12, 2017
Accepted date: July 28, 2017
Published date: July 31, 2017

Copyright

© 2017 Márcio Galindo Kiuch. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation

Kiuchi MG (2017) The effects of renal sympathetic denervation in the left atrium enlargement after pulmonary vein isolation. J Integr Cardiol 3: DOI: 10.15761/JIC.1000221

Corresponding author

Márcio Galindo Kiuchi

Rua Cel. Moreira César, 138 - Centro, São Gonçalo – Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. ZIP-CODE: 24440-400

E-mail : bhuvaneswari.bibleraaj@uhsm.nhs.uk

Figure 1: Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we assessed 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure and 16 subjects underwent RSD. Monitoring of LA diameter (A), LA ∆ (variation) growth at each 6 months (B), and LA growth rate/month (C) was done at baseline, 6th, 12th and 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

Figure 2: Evaluating the RSD effects independently the AF recurrence, we assessed 69 patients that did not submit to the procedure and 16 subjects underwent RSD. Monitoring of LA volume (A), LA ∆ (variation) distension at each 6 months (B), and LA distension rate/month (C) was done at baseline, 6th, 12th and 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

Table 1. Baseline features 

Parameters

     Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

P value

N

85

53

32

---

Age, years

54.11±7.80

53.58±7.47

54.97±8.36

0.4311

Body mass index, kg/m2

26.92±1.75

26.79±1.86

27.13±1.56

0.4003

Male gender (%)

62 (73%)

35 (66%)

27 (84%)

0.0807

White ethnicity (%)

62 (73%)

42 (79%)

20 (63%)

0.1304

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

26 (31%)

17 (32%)

9 (28%)

0.8099

Creatinine, mg/dL

0.95±0.08

0.93±0.11

0.98±0.09

0.0330

eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2

89.82±8.47

92.53±9.45

88.70±6.97

0.0350

Albumin:creatinine ratio, mg/g

18.76±8.19

18.30±7.70

19.53±9.03

0.5060

Antihypertensive

 

 

 

 

    ACE-inhibitors/ARB

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

    Diuretics

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

    DHP Ca++ channel blockers

17 (20%)

10 (19%)

7 (22%)

0.7837

    β-blockers

85 (100%)

53 (100%)

32 (100%)

>0.9999

Mean 24-hour ABPM, mmHg

117±5/70±4

116±5/69±4

117±6/71±5

0.6168/0.3834

Values are expressed as mean ± SD or %; ABPM, ambulatory blood pressure measurements; ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; AF, atrial fibrillation; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; DHP, dihydropyridine; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Table 2. Left atrium evaluation during one year of follow-up.

 

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

 

Baseline

6th month

12th month

N

85

53

32

85

53

32

85

53

32

LA diameter, mm

45.94±3.59

44.08±2.26

49.03±3.26

47.35±3.54

45.48±2.21

50.43±3.17

49.03±3.26**

46.07±2.23*

51.05±3.16

∆LA growth, mm/6 months

---

---

---

1.41±0.20

1.41±0.19

1.40±0.22

0.60±0.14+++

0.59±0.14+++

0.62±0.13+++

LA growth rate, mm/month

---

---

---

---

---

---

0.08±0.04

0.08±0.03

0.08±0.04

Indexed LA volume, mL/m2

40.59±5.30

37.89±2.67

45.06±5.58

44.55±5.30***

41.87±2.74**

48.98±5.57*†

48.70±5.32***

46.01±2.78***

53.18±5.53***†

∆LA distension, mL/m2/6 months

---

 

---

3.96±0.37

 

3.99±0.39

 

3.91±0.33

 

4.16±0.26++

 

4.13±0.23

 

4.20±0.31+

 

LA distension rate, mL/m2/month

---

---

---

---

---

---

0.34±0.03

0.34±0.03

0.35±0.04

Values are presented as mean ± SD. ***P<0.0001, **P<0.001, *P<0.05 vs. baseline value into the same group; P<0.0001 for non AF vs.AF recurrence at the same time point; +P<0.05, ++P<0.001, +++P<0.0001 for 6th vs.12th recurrence into the same group. AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.

Table 3. Left atrium evaluation after renal sympathetic denervation during 6 months of follow-up.

 

 

Overall

Non AF recurrence

AF recurrence

 

18th month (6th month after  renal sympathetic denervation  performance)

N

85

53

32

LA diameter, mm

48.09±3.74

46.34±2.48

50.99±3.70***†

∆LA growth, mm/6 months

0.14±0.72***

0.26±0.63*

0.07±0.76***

LA growth rate, mm/month

0.02±0.12**

0.04±0.11

0.01±0.13*

Indexed LA volume, mL/m2

50.18±5.75

47.71±3.45

54.28±6.47

∆LA distension, mL/m2/6 months

1.48±1.51***

1.70±1.34***

1.10±1.72***

LA distension rate, mL/m2/month

0.25±0.25*

0.28±0.22

0.18±0.29*

Values are presented as mean ± SD. ***P<0.0001, **P<0.001, *P<0.05 vs. 12th month value into the same group; P<0.0001 for non AF vs.AF recurrence at the 18th month of follow-up; AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium.