Association of Uric Acid Albumin Ratio with Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation

Objective: Despite improvements in the technology of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), recurrences are still a major problem, even after a successful procedure. The uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR), which is an inexpensive and simple laboratory parameter, has recently been introduced in the literature as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Hence, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the UAR and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Methods: A total of 170 patients who underwent successful catheter ablation for AF were included. The primary outcome was the late recurrence after treatment. The recurrence (+) and recurrence (-) groups were compared for clinical, laboratory and procedural characteristics as well as the predictors of recurrence assessed by regression analysis. Results: In our study population, 53 (26%) patients developed AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Mean UAR was higher in the recurrence (+) group compared to recurrence (-) group (2.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.7, p < 0.01). In multivariable regression analysis, left atrial diameter (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16, p = 0.01) and UAR (HR:1.36, 95% CI: 1.06-1.75, p = 0.01) were found to be independent predictors of recurrence. In ROC analysis, the UAR > 1.67 predicted recurrence with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 57% (AUC 0.68, p < 0.01). Conclusion: For the first time in the literature, the UAR were found to be correlated independently with AF recurrence after catheter ablation.