Myocardial structure and function and predictors of recurrent atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients after electrical cardioversion

Objective. To determine predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with persistent AF and arterial hypertension (HTN) after sinus rhythm (SR) restoration by electrical cardioversion (ECV) using data on the dynamics of structural and functional changes in the heart during prolonged preventive antiarrhythmic therapy (AART).

Design and methods. The study involved 127 patients with HTN and non-valvular form of persistent AF who underwent ECV leading to the restoration of sinus rhythm. All patients underwent Holter monitoring (HM) and echocardiography, and were randomized into groups for certain anti-arrhythmic drug (propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone).

Results and conclusions. There is a strong negative correlation between the duration of sinus rhythm after ECV with the prolonged antiarrhythmic therapy and the value of anteroposterior size of the left atrium referred to the body surface area. There was no change in the structural parameters of the left heart one year after ECV when SR was maintained in patients receiving AART (propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone). Amiodarone is more effective for the prevention of AF recurrence after ECV than sotalol or propafenone; and is associated with a decrease in left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time and deceleration time of mitral flow.

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