Radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA)--induced myocardial injury is caused by the thermal, electrical and biological effects of RF current.
Aim of the study: To assess the changes in the left ventricular systolic function following RFCA.
Material and methods: Ejection fraction (EF) and shortening fraction (FS) were assessed in 24 pacing patients (10 females in age 44-79 years, mean age 64.8 +/- 11 years) before and 24 hours after successful RFCA of an atrio-ventricular node area due to medical refractory chronic atrial fibrillation.
Results: The mean number of RFCA applications was 5.5 +/- 5.0, total application time--237.5 +/- 188 sec, cumulative energy--8916.7 +/- 6886.2 J and temperature measured at the tip of electrode--59.6 +/- 4.90 degrees C. We did not find the changes in EF and FS after the ablation. In addition, a non-significant correlation between the left ventricular systolic function and the cumulative RFCA energy was documented.
Conclusions: Non-significant correlation between the left ventricular contractility and the cumulative RFCA energy was observed.