Higher coronary artery calcium score is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Fernandes, SL (Author) Other; Ladeiras-Lopes, R (Author) Other; Silva, M (Author) Other; Silva, G (Author) Other; Cruz, I (Author) Other; Diaz, SO (Author) Other; Barros, AS (Author) FMUP; Saraiva, F (Author) Other; Faria, R (Author) Other; Almeida, J (Author) Other; Fonseca, P (Author) Other; Goncalves, H (Author) Other; Oliveira, M (Author) Other; Ferreira, N (Author) Other; Primo, J (Author) Other; Fontes-Carvalho R (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Vol. 17

Pages: 22-27

ISSN: 1934-5925

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-EP6

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2022.10.002

Abstract (EN): Background: Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) development, but scarce data are available regarding the impact on AF recurrence. This study aims to assess the impact of CACS on AF recurrence following catheter ablation.Methods: Retrospective study of patients with AF undergoing cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before ablation (2017-2019). Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), significant valvular heart disease and previous catheter ablation were excluded. A cut-off of CACS >= 100 was used according to literature.Results: A total of 311 patients were included (median age 57 [48, 64] years, 65% men and 21% with persistent AF). More than half of the patients had a CACS > 0 (52%) and 18% a CACS >= 100. Patients with CACS >= 100 were older (64 [59, 69] vs 55 [46, 63] years, p < 0.001), had more frequently hypertension (68% vs 42%, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (21% vs 10%, p = 0.020). During a median follow-up of 34 months (12-57 months), 98 patients (32%) had AF recurrence. CACS >= 100 was associated with increased risk of AF recurrence (unadjusted Cox regression: hazard ratio [HR] 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.1, p = 0.002). After covariate adjustment, CACS >= 100 and persistent AF remained independent predictors of AF recurrence (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.8, p = 0.039 and HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2, p = 0.004, respectively).Conclusion: An opportunistic evaluation of CACS could be an important tool to improve clinical care considering that CACS >= 100 was independently associated with a 69% increase in the risk of AF recurrence after first catheter ablation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6