Coronary calcification by computed tomography in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation. (14th October 2021) - Fernandes, S
Abstract: Introduction: Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is routinely performed for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) planning in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This imaging method can also identify coronary artery calcium (CAC). Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of CAC in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: Cross-sectional study including patients with AF/atrial flutter (AFL) undergoing CCT for ablation procedure planning from 2017 to 2019. Baseline clinical and demographic data were collected and CAC score was assessed using the Agatston method. Patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF/AFL (defined according to 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF) were compared. Results: A total of 474 patients were included (441 with AF and 33 with AFL), with a mean age of 57±12 years, of which 295 (62%) were males. CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥1 (male) or ≥2 (female) in 278 (64%) patients and most patients had a low to moderate cardiovascular risk (259, 80%). CAC was identified in 254 (54%) patients. AF/AFL was paroxysmal in 348 (75%) patients and persistent in 116 (25%). Baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar between groups except for diabetes mellitus (33 [10%] vs 22 [20%], p=0.012) and valvular heart disease (13 [4%] vs 18 [16%], p<0.001) that were more prevalent in patients with persistent AF/AFL. Patients with persistent AF/AFL had higher left atrial volume and left ventricle mass (36±8 vs 43±12 ml/m 2, p<0.001 and 90±22 vs 96±22 g/m 2, p=0.041). CAC was more frequently present in patients with persistent AF/AFL (175 [50%] vs 72 [62%], p=0.028), especially CAC score >100 (58 [17%] vs 35 [30%], p=0.002). After multivariate analysis, CAC score>100 remained an independent predictor of persistent AF/AFL (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.18–3.82, p=0.013) along with higher left atrial volume (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.08, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, coronary artery calcium was present in more than half of AF/FLA patients undergoing catheter ablation. Patients with persistent AF/AFL showed higher calcium scores and this could derive from chronic, more advanced disease. Especially in those patients, opportunistic CV risk screening and CAC-guided clinical management might be clinically useful. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: None.