Correlation analysis between heart rate variability, epicardial fat thickness, visfatin and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible correlation between heart rate variability (HRV), epicardial fat thickness (EFT), visfatin and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Data of 337 AF patients to whom radiofrequency ablation therapy had been initiated at our hospital over the past three years were evaluated. The patients enrolled were divided into the non-recurrence group (102 patients) and the recurrence group (235 patients) according to AF recurrence in the preceding 12 months. General data in the two groups were collected and HRV, EFT, and visfatin levels were comprehensively compared for each patients of the two groups. RESULTS: The recurrence group showed significantly higher results in rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, and visfatin but with evidently lower results in LF/HF when comparing the non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). The significantly different general variables in the general data and laboratory parameters, rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, visfatin, LF/HF were used as independent variables, and AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation was used as dependent variables. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation were rMSSD, PNN50, HF, total EFT, visfatin, and LF/HF, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HRV, EFT, visfatin appear to show high association with AF recurrence post radiofrequency ablation.