Degree
Master of Science
Program
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Abstract
Background
Catheter ablation has emerged as treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Health care-related variables have not been explored as predictors of first ablation outcome. Determining factors associated with arrhythmia recurrence may help select patients likely to benefit. The objective was to identify variables associated with recurrence following AF ablation.
Methods
Retrospective cohort design of 314 AF patients who had undergone first ablation. Follow-up visits occurred at 3, 6 and 12 months. Variables and the outcome of recurrence were modeled with Cox proportional hazards analysis.
Results/Conclusions
After mean follow-up of 239+/-125 days, 110/314 patients (35.0%) experienced recurrence. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated cardiomyopathy [HR (95% CI) = 1.97 (1.13-3.41)] was associated with arrhythmia recurrence. Conversely, height per cm increase [HR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.94-0.99)], and targeted ablation outside the pulmonary veins [HR (95% CI) = 0.531 (0.29-0.98)] were associated with hazard reduction. Wait time was not associated with recurrence.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Kendra, "Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Predicting Recurrence" (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 3791.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3791