The efficacy of combination of transcatheter atrial septal defects closure and radiofrequency catheter ablation for the prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence through bi-atrial reverse remodeling

Purpose Atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexists with atrial septal defects (ASD). Each of the transcatheter closure for ASD and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AF have been established as the first-line therapy. However, there are limited data about therapeutic effect RFCA plus transcatheter ASD closure on AF recurrence in AF patients with ASD. The aim of the current study was to investigate the clinical impact of ASD closure following RFCA on AF recurrence. Methods Forty-two ASD patients (17 males and 54 +/- 20 years old) were enrolled and classified into three groups: ASD occlusion-sinus rhythm (ASO-SR) (n = 26), no AF history prior to ASD closure; ASO-AF-RFCA (n = 11), RFCA was performed due to AF history before ASD closure; and ASO-AF-anti-arrhythmic drug (ASO-AF-AAD) (n = 5), AF was treated with AAD before and after ASD closure. AF occurrence among the 3 groups was evaluated. Results Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that ASO-SR and ASO-AF-RFCA groups showed a lower AF occurrence ratio than ASO-AF-AAD group during the 14- +/- 9-month follow-up periods (P = 0.013). AF occurrence in ASO-SR and ASO-AF-RFCA groups was comparable (P = 0.480). Bi-atrial reverse remodeling, such as decrease in left atrial volume index (P = 0.049) and right atrial area (P = 0.046), and significant decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.049) were identified in ASO-AF-RFCA group, but not in ASO-AF-AAD group. Conclusion A combination of two percutaneous therapies was proven to be effective and induced bi-atrial reverse remodeling in association with inflammatory reaction.