Left Atrial Volume Quantified by MSCT Predicts Emergency Hospitalizations for AF and Arrhythmia Recurrence after Catheter Ablation

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to investigate the correlation between multislice computed tomography (MSCT)-derived parameters characterizing atrial enlargement and the frequency of emergency hospitalizations after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods The study included 52 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF, who presented criteria for interventional rhythm control strategies and underwent MSCT evaluation prior to ablation. Results The majority of emergency hospital admissions were due to heart failure caused by high-frequency arrhythmia (90.33%), or by cardioembolic complications, causing acute stroke (9.67%). The number of emergency referrals was significantly increased in cases of moderately enlarged left atrial volume (69.23%), and re-admission was necessary for over three quarters of the patients with highly enlarged left atrial volume (76.92%, p = 0.02). The average recurrence rate of AF following ablation therapy was 28.84% during the one-year follow-up, being 0% for volumes <71.33 mL, 32% for volumes between 71.33 mL and 109.5 mL, and 53.84% for volumes >109.5 mL (p = 0.01). Conclusion A large volume of the left atrium, determined by MSCT, is associated with a higher risk of emergency rehospitalizations following catheter ablation of AF.