Characteristics and long-term catheter ablation outcome in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients with non-pulmonary vein triggers

Background: There are limited literatures regarding the non-pulmonary vein (NPV) triggers in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). The goal of the present study was to investigate the characteristics and long-term outcome of catheter ablation among these patients.

Methods: The study included 776 patients (age 53.59±11.38years-old, 556 males) who received catheter ablation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). We divided these patients into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 579 patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), group 2 consisted of 103 patients with persistent AF (PerAF) and group 3 consisted of 94 patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF). The average follow-up duration was 28.53±23.21months.

Results: The clinical endpoint was the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. Among these 3 groups, higher percentages of male (93.6%, P<0.001), NPV triggers (44.7%, P<0.001), longer AF duration (6.65±6.72years, P=0.029), larger left atrium diameter (44.44±6.79mm, P<0.001), and longer procedure time (181.94±70.02min, P<0.001) were noted in LSPAF. After the first catheter ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was highest in LSPAF (Log Rank, P<0.001). Larger left atrium diameters (LAD) (P=0.006; HR: 1.063; CI: 1.018-1.111) and NPV triggers (P=0.035; HR: 1.707; 1.037-2.809) independently predicted AF recurrence in LSPAF.

Conclusions: Compared with PAF and PerAF, LSPAF had a higher incidence of NPV triggers and worse long-term outcome after catheter ablation. NPV triggers and LAD independently predicted AF recurrence after catheter ablation in LSPAF.