Dilated LA significantly increases the risk of AF recurrence after  single CPVI .
This is especially applicable to the patients with long-term follow-up
AIMS Left atrial ( LA ) enlargement is associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .
However , it is controversial whether dilated atrium can predict post-ablation AF recurrence .
We undertook a systematic review and meta- analysis to analyse the association between LA diameter and  AF recurrence after single circumferential pulmonary vein isolation ( CPVI )  and explore the potential mechanism .
Improved endothelial function in patients with atrial fibrillation through maintenance of sinus rhythm by successful catheter ablation.
BACKGROUND Although atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction ( ED ) , the effect of catheter ablation ( CA ) on AF-associated ED has not been evaluated . The aims of this study are to determine if the degree of ED predicts the outcome of AF ablation and to evaluate whether ED can be improved through restoring sinus rhythm ( SR ) by successful CA . METHODS This study prospect ively enrolled 80 subjects who underwent CA for AF ( paroxysmal AF = 61 , persistent AF = 19 ) . Eighty subjects with no history of AF were enrolled as controls , all of whom were matched by age , gender , body mass index , and atherosclerotic risk factor distribution . Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) was measured at baseline , and at 1 month and 6 months post CA in AF subjects who remained in SR . Among controls , FMD was measured at baseline and at 6 months . We used high sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) , interleukin-6 , soluble E- or P-selectin , and endothelin-1 as biomarker indices for inflammation and /or ED . RESULTS Compared with controls , AF subjects had lower FMD at baseline ( FMD(baseline ) , P < 0.001 ) . After successful CA , FMD was significantly improved at 1 month and 6 months , nearly approaching control levels . A multivariate analysis revealed that FMD(baseline ) , hs-CRP , and left atrial volume ( LAV ) were independent predictors for arrhythmia recurrence after CA . Other biomarkers were not related to rhythm outcome . CONCLUSION AF subjects have significantly impaired FMD , which can be reversed through maintenance of SR by successful CA . FMD(baseline ) , hs-CRP , and LAV are important predictors for AF recurrence after CA
Dilated LA significantly increases the risk of AF recurrence after  single CPVI .
This is especially applicable to the patients with long-term follow-up
AIMS Left atrial ( LA ) enlargement is associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .
However , it is controversial whether dilated atrium can predict post-ablation AF recurrence .
We undertook a systematic review and meta- analysis to analyse the association between LA diameter and  AF recurrence after single circumferential pulmonary vein isolation ( CPVI )  and explore the potential mechanism .