Persistence of left atrial abnormalities despite left atrial volume normalization after successful ablation of atrial fibrillation

Background Left atrial volume index (LAVI) of >34 mL/m2 is the cutoff value for identifying an enlarged left atrium. The definition of left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is undetermined. We hypothesized that patients with LA dilatation who achieve normal LA volume (LAVI 1 year). Patients who achieved normal LA volume after AF ablation had fewer late recurrences than those who did not (P < .01). However, LA abnormalities, especially LA dysfunction, persisted in AF patients even when the LA volume was normalized compared with controls. Conclusion Patients who achieved normal LA volume had better long-term outcomes of AF ablation than those who did not; however, LA abnormalities persisted even after successful ablation of AF.