Impact of Body Mass Index on Cryoablation of atrial fibrillation: Patient characteristics, procedural data and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

Ablation of atrial fibrillation in the context of obesity can be challenging. We sought to evaluate the role of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB-PVI) in obese patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

Patients with a BMI≥25 kg/m² and symptomatic AF who underwent CB-PVI were retrospectively enrolled. Three groups were defined (G1: BMI of 25-29 kg/m² ; G2: BMI of 30-34 kg/m² ; G3: BMI≥35 kg/m² ).

RESULTS

600 patients were included (59% male; 66±11 years old); 337, 149, 114 were assigned to G1, G2 and G3, respectively. Acute procedural success was recorded in 99,7% of patients. Procedural and fluoroscopy time were comparable but radiation dose was significantly higher in G3. Procedural complications were 3% in G1, 5,4% in G2 and 8,8% in G3 (p=0,01). The overall freedom from AF after 1-year was 77%. G3 had a significantly worse 1-year success rate compared to G1 and G2 (G3:66,5% vs. G1:78,4%; p=0,015 and vs. G2:82,5%; p=0,008) with a reduced 1-year success in paroxysmal AF (G1:84,0%; G2:86,3% and G3:69,6%) but not in persistent AF (G1:68,7%; G2:77,4% and G3:62,1%). G3 showed similar success rates irrespective of AF form (PAF 69,6% vs. persAF 62,1%; p=0,501).

CONCLUSION

Cryoballoon ablation in obese patients can be effective with an acceptable safety profile, 77% of patients were in stable SR at one year. Severe obese patients (BMI≥35) showed reduced procedural safety and 1-year success rate. In association with life style modification, CB ablation may represent a strategy to enhance rhythm control in the context of obesity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.