Renal function at one year after catheter ablation of AF

Catheter ablation is being done more often for the treatment of symptomatic, drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). It is now well known that renal function is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients with atrial fibrillation may often have associated renal dysfunction, mostly because of the age group involved. Takahashi Y and associates [Renal Function After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation 2011;124 2380-2387.] evaluated the estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR) before and one year after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in three hundred and eighty six patients of which one hundred and thirty five had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation while one hundred and six had persistent atrial fibrillation. Overall seventy two percent of the patients were free of arrhythmia at one year follow up. It was noted that eGFR increased three months later in these patients and was maintained till one year while in those with recurrences of atrial fibrillation, eGFR decreased over the year. The authors concluded that elimination of AF was associated with improvement in renal function over one year follow up in those with mild to moderate kidney dysfunction.