DENVER — Using delayed enhancement MRI, researchers for the DECAAF study demonstrated that atrial fibrosis is a strong, independent predictor of outcome in patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation.
The prospective, double blind study included 330 patients (mean age, 59 years; 69% men; 64% paroxysmal AF) at 15 centers in Australia, Europe and the United States with varying degrees of expertise in cardiac MRI. All patients underwent high-resolution delayed enhancement MRI up to 30 days before ablation. AF ablation was performed and patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months for recurrence using Holter monitors and ECGs.
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