Lone Atrial Fibrillation Is Actually Not That Alone

Lone atrial fibrillation (AF) (i.e., without underlying cause), is observed in up to 10% of patients with AF. Putative mechanisms include genetic causes, focal atrial tachycardias, subtle abnormalities in atrial function, or a combination of these. That subtle abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) function may contribute to AF is a novel idea and the focus of the current, single-site study.

The researchers studied LV function on cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and myocardial energetics on ³¹P-MR spectroscopy in 53 individuals with lone AF scheduled for first-time ablation; tests occurred ≤4 weeks before ablation, immediately afterward, and 6 to 9 months later. Healthy controls underwent one-time testing. Before ablation, patients co…