P6142
Epicardial fat thickness as a predictor of atrial fibirllation recurrence after cryoballoon ablation

Extract

Introduction: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation by cryoballoon technique is a new and safe procedure with lower AF recurrence rate. As a source of inflammatory and neurohumoral mediators, epicardial fat tissue has a profound effect on atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous studies demonstrated increased epicardial fat thickness (EFT) associated with higher AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between EFT and AF recurrence after cryoballoon ablation technique.

Materials and methods: 119 paroxysmal AF patients who were symptomatic under at least one antiarrhythmic drug therapy were enrolled. Patients with structural cardiac disease, moderate to severe valve disease and previous ablation history were excluded. Post-ablation blanking period was defined as 3 months.

Results: Patients were followed up during median 18.9 months. During follow-up 24 patients (20%) had developed AF recurrence. EFT was higher in patients with recurrence (7.7±1.4 mm vs 6.1±1.0 mm, p<0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between EFT and CRP (β=0.387 p<0.001).In multivariable analysis, EFT (OR: 1.138, 95% CI: 1.021–1.789) was demonstrated as an independent predictor of AF recurrence. In Roc analysis, a cut-off value 6.7 for EFT has a 73.8% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity for prediction of AF recurrence (AUC=0.721 p<0.001). Patients were categorized into two groups based on this cut off value. In Kaplan meier analysis patients with EFT <6.7mm had higher AF-free survival compared with EFT>6.7 mm (p=0.013).