Baroreflex Sensitivity in Patients Undergoing Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Baroreflex Sensitivity in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Association With Arrhythmia Recurrences

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. The posterior surface of the left atrium is covered by an extensive network belonging to the autonomic nervous system that can be damaged during the ablation. The involvement of the autonomous nervous system in the genesis and maintenance of atrial fibrillation remains poorly understood. Baroreflex sensitivity is a non-invasive method assessing autonomous nervous system activity.

The rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation is currently high and a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with recurrence is essential to improve selection of the patients who will benefit the most from this procedure.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the baroreflex sensitivity and atrial fibrillation recurrences and to analyze the prognostic contribution of the baroreflex measurement compared to other published criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years old,
• Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hospitalized for atrial fibrillation ablation,
• Assessable baroreflex sensitivity before ablation,
• Free subject, without guardianship or curatorship or subordination,
• Patients benefiting from a Social Security assurance,
• Informed consent signed by the patient after clear and fair information about the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18,
• History of atrial fibrillation ablation,
• Inability to calculate the baroreflex sensitivity
• Contraindication to the performance of a cardiac CT scan (allergy to iodine, severe renal insufficiency with clearance <30 ml/mn/m2),
• Inability to have continuous ECG recording by subcutaneous Holter,