Predicting factors for omitting beta-blockers in patients with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Tachycardia induces a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is defined as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). Conversion to and maintenance of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation can improve LVEF in patients with TIC due to atrial fibrillation (AF). Beta-blockers are mandatory for the treatment of heart failure with reduced LVEF(HFrEF), but the necessity of beta-blockers in TIC patients even after catheter ablation remains unclear. We examined the effect of beta-blockers on cardiac function in TIC patients after catheter ablation. We retrospectively analyzed 124 patients with a history of heart failure and an LVEF of  ≤ 50% who underwent catheter ablation for AF. TIC was defined as a ≥ 10% improvement in the baseline LVEF and an improvement to an LVEF of  ≥ 50% at 6 months after ablation. Patients with other cardiomyopathy diagnosed before the ablation were excluded. LVEF was significantly increased with the reductions of the left ventricular and left atrial volumes at the 6-month follow-up in all 80 patients with TIC. No beta-blockers were prescribed during the post-ablation follow-up in 21 patients with TIC. The absolute values of and changes in the echocardiographic parameters between before and after ablation were not significantly different between patients with and without beta-blockers after the ablation. A simple score using the history of hospitalization for heart failure and use of beta-blockers or diuretics prior to ablation was useful in identifying TIC patients who did not need prescription of beta-blockers after catheter ablation. LVEF similarly improved in both patients with and without prescription of beta-blockers after the ablation. Beta-blockers may not need to be prescribed after successful catheter ablation for AF in LVEF of ≤ 50% patients without other cause of cardiomyopathy diagnosed before the ablation, a history of hospitalization for heart failure and prescription of beta-blockers and diuretics before the ablation.