Baroreceptor Reflex Sensitivity in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Purpose: Persistent atrial fibrillation decreases baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), which is considered an indicator of cardiac autonomy. Furthermore, atrial fibrillation ablation has also been found to reduce the BRS. The baseline BRS of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) was compared and the BRS-modifying effect of ablation was investigated. Methods: The BRS was measured before and after the procedure and the presence or absence of atrial fibrillation recurrence was assessed. Results: Pre-operative BRS was significantly lower in patients with PeAF compared with those with PAF. The BRS was significantly reduced postoperatively in all patients, with a particularly large reduction in PAF patients. The BRS decreased to a lesser extent with ablation in patients with recurrent PAF. Conclusions: Baseline BRS was lower in patients with PeAF. Atrial fibrillation ablation reduced BRS in both PAF and PeAF patients but had a stronger reduction effect in PAF patients.