Early repolarization in the inferior leads after accessory pathway ablation is highly correlated with atrial fibrillation in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Both atrial fibrillation (AF) and early repolarization (ER) are highly prevalent in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 123 WPW patients with manifest accessory pathway (mAP) and 105 patients with concealed accessory pathways (cAP) who underwent successful ablation of the APs. AF history prior to the ablation was investigated. The presence of ER was evaluated from the 12-lead electrocardiograms performed both before and immediately after the ablation. Patients were further followed up for AF occurrence after the AP ablation.

RESULTS

Compared with cAP patients, WPW patients presented with higher incidence of previous AF, as well as ER after the AP ablation. Compared with those without AF history, WPW patients with comorbid AF were more prone to presenting ER, especially in the inferior leads, after the mAP ablation. Regression analysis suggested that the post-ablation ER in the inferior leads was strongly associated with AF in WPW patients [OR = 5.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.29-14.96], even after adjusting for age and left atrial diameter (OR = 5.14; 95% CI: 1.80-14.74). Moreover, post-ablation inferior-lead ER was predictive of AF recurrence after mAP ablation during the follow-up of 22.6 ± 11.1 months. In comparison, ER was correlated with neither AF history nor AF recurrence in patients undergoing cAP ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

ER in the inferior leads after the mAP ablation is highly correlated with AF history and recurrence in WPW patients.