Assessment of cardiac autonomic dysfunction after pulmonary vein isolation and its impact on success of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation

Abstract

trial fibrillation is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and a significant public health issue. Recently, radiofrequency current ablation and cryoballoon ablation are frequently used for rhythm control in symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients who are resistant to anti-arrhythmic drugs or even as a first-line rhythm control strategy. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in heart rate and a decrease in heart rate variability after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation due to vagal denervation. Aim of the study: This study aims to assess post paroxysmal AF ablation cardiac autonomic dysfunction and its value after Pulmonary vein isolation while comparing between radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablation techniques. Patients and methods: The current study enrolled 40 consecutive patients who underwent paroxysmal AF ablation at Ain Shams University hospitals. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, Radiofrequency ablation guided by 3D mapping (RF group; n=20) and Cryoballoon ablation using 2nd generation balloons (CB group; n=20). Full history, examination and preoperative investigations were performed. Patient follow up was arranged after a 1, 3 and 12 months after the procedure to detect success