Left Atrial Mechanical Function Improvement After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation

64 candidates to atrial fibrillation ablation were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to telmisartan/amlodipine combination in dose 80/5 mg (group I, n=34) or placebo (group II, n=30) taking daily for up to one week. Echocardiography was performed before the procedure, immediately after it, and after a week of therapy. The six-minute walk test and SF-36 questionnaire results were evaluated a day before the procedure and after a week of the therapy. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was invasively measured after transseptal puncture and before left atrial sheath removal.

Inclusion criteria

• Symptomatic (III-IV class by European Heart Rhythm Association scale) paroxysmal atrial fibrillation;
• Ineffective therapy by at least one of the class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs;
• Left atrial diameter 5 cm or less;
• Estimated catheter radiofrequency pulmonary vein antrum isolation;
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Intolerance/allergy or contraindications to telmisartan, amlodipine, warfarin or enoxaparin;
• Left atrial thrombosis;
• Age greater than 75 years;
• Severe (e.g. decompensation of vital functions) or acute (e.g. pneumonia) somatic conditions;
• Malignant growth in the hematogenic dissemination stage.