Evaluation of right atrial size and function after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To assess the changes of right atrial size and mechanical function after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using real-time threedimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE), and to study the correlation between the changes of left atrial(LA)and right atrial(RA) volume and function. Methods Thirty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were undergone radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) successfully. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE),tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) and RT-3DE were performed before, 1 month and 3 months after procedure respectively. Late systolic volume and area of RA and LA,ejection fraction(EF) of RA and LA,late diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve inflow, tricuspid valve inflow and late diastolic peak velocity of mitral annulus and tricuspid annulus were recorded. Results The 3DE images of all patients were satisfied.LA max area and 3DE LA max volume were significantly reduced at 1 months and 3 months after procedure compared with basic stage [ ( 18.8 ± 6.3) cm2 vs (21.5 ± 6.2) cm2 , (38.8 ± 17.0) ml vs (46.1 ± 20.0) ml,P ＜ 0.05]. 3DE LA EF also declined markedly at 1 month after RFCA, and restored at 3 months later compared with baseline [(41.1 ± 13.7) % vs (51.7 ± 15.9) %, (41.1 ± 13.7) % vs (45.6 ± 18.3) %, P ＜0.05]. The size and mechanical function of the right atrial after procedure were no obvious changes. There were no evidently correlation between the changes of LA and RA volume and function. Conclusions RT3DE can provide a precise method to quantify the value of atrial volume and function. The LA size and volume are significantly reduced after RFCA in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, however, the RA size and function are no obvious changes. Key words: Echocardiography,real-time three-dimensional; Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Atrial function