Left atrial appendage flow velocity after successful ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: Clinical perspective from transesophageal echocardiographic assessment during sinus rhythm

Background Left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) is a predictor of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, as well as CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. However, little is known about LAAFV in sinus rhythm (SR) after catheter ablation. The aim of this study was to determine clinical predictors of low LAAFV in patients in whom stable SR had been maintained after catheter ablation for persistent AF. Methods The study comprised 104 patients with persistent AF (median AF duration 24 months) in whom SR had been achieved and maintained for at least 6 months after the final ablation procedure. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed to assess LAAFV during SR after ablation. Lower LAAFV was defined as <= 40 cm/s. Results Mean LAAFV before ablation was 29 +/- 11 cm/s (range 10-67 cm/s). In 23 (22%) patients, LAAFV remained low even after being in SR for at least 6 months. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores of >= 2 (odds ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.19-3.99, P = .012) was an independent predictor of lower LAAFV after successful ablation. Seventeen (74%) of the 23 patients with low LAAFV during SR presented CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores of >= 2 complicated by spontaneous echo contrast during AF. Conclusions Long-term maintenance of SR after catheter ablation for persistent AF does not guarantee LAAFV recovery. The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score appears to predict poor recovery of LAAFV. Further studies are necessary to confirm the usefulness of LAAFV during SR as a surrogate marker predicting thromboembolism in patients after AF ablation.