Periatrial epicardial adipose tissue thickness is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active fat depot. Studies have investigated the effect of EAT thickness on outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on the relationship between EAT thickness and outcome of cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are lacking.

Objective: In this study, we investigate the association between EAT thickness and AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based PVI.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF despite ≥1 antiarrhythmic drug(s) were scheduled for cryoballoon-based PVI for AF per the recent recommendations. Periatrial, periventricular, and total EAT thickness measurements were obtained from preprocedural multidetector CT scans.

Results: A total of 249 patients (55.6 ± 10.7 years; 48.2% male; 18.5% persistent AF) were involved in the study. Patients were followed-up for 29 months (8-48 months). When blanking period was considered, freedom from AF after the ablation procedure was 75.9% at a median follow-up of 29 months. Total periatrial EAT thickness (18.1 ± 6.2 vs. 14.7 ± 4.7 mm; P < .001) was greater in patients with late AF recurrence when compared to those without. On the other hand, periventricular or total EAT thickness measurements did not differ between both groups (P > .05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that periatrial EAT thickness (hazard ratio, 1.086; P = .001) and left atrial volume index (hazard ratio, 1.144; P < .001) were independent predictors for late AF recurrence.

Conclusion: Quantification of EAT thickness from preprocedural multidetector CT scans may serve as a beneficial parameter for prediction of AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based PVI.