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01-10-2021 | Atrial Fibrillation | Original Article

The relationship between global cardiac and regional left atrial sympathetic innervation and epicardial fat in patients with atrial fibrillation

Authors: Alexander Romanov, Stanislav Minin, Nikita Nikitin, Dmitry Ponomarev, Vitaly Shabanov, Denis Losik, Jonathan S. Steinberg

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 10/2021

Abstract

Aim

To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and distribution and the parameters of global cardiac and regional left atrial (LA) sympathetic activity in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results

The data of the 45 consecutive patients scheduled for an index catheter ablation (CA) for AF were analyzed. Total and peri-atrial EAT volumes were measured by cardiac CT. Parameters of global cardiac sympathetic activity and discrete sympathetic regions around LA were assessed by ¹²³I-mIBG SPECT/CT. The patients were followed up for AF recurrences assessment during 12 months after CA. A total of 133 (mean per patient 2.96 ± 1.07) discrete ¹²³I-mIBG uptake areas (DUAs), corresponding to typical anatomical locations of LA ganglionated plexi (GP), were identified. Peri-atrial EAT volume was associated with the number of DUAs (regression estimate, 5.1 [95% CI, 0.3–9.9], p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant association between either total or peri-atrial EAT volumes and risks of AF recurrence. The washout rate (WR) was associated with reduced risk of AF recurrence (HR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.92–0.99; p = 0.01), while left ventricular (LV) myocardium ¹²³I-mIBG summed defect score (SDS) was linked to increased hazards of AF recurrence (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01–1.08; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Peri-atrial EAT volume is associated with regions of sympathetic activity corresponding to typical anatomical locations of LA GP. The WR was associated with reduced risk of AF recurrence while LV myocardial SDS was linked to increased hazards of AF recurrence.

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Title: The relationship between global cardiac and regional left atrial sympathetic innervation and epicardial fat in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Alexander Romanov
Stanislav Minin
Nikita Nikitin
Dmitry Ponomarev
Vitaly Shabanov
Denis Losik
Jonathan S. Steinberg
Publication date: 01-10-2021
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keyword: Atrial Fibrillation
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 10/2021
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-021-01643-2

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Springer Medicine

The relationship between global cardiac and regional left atrial sympathetic innervation and epicardial fat in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Aim

Methods and results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Methods and results

Conclusion

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