Study population
This retrospective observational cohort study initially screened 4640
consecutive AF patients with available follow-up data from December 2017
to June 2021 in our institution. Then, 210 patients with concomitant HF
were identified. HF was defined as either a history of HF
hospitalization or symptoms and signs of HF with elevated N-terminal
pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) (> 125 pg/ml
with sinus rhythm or > 365 pg/ml with
AF)11, 12. Patients with New York Heart Association
(NYHA) class I or IV, acute decompensated HF or cardiogenic shock were
not eligible. After exclusion of 79 patients with LVEF < 50%,
severe valvular disease, congenital heart disease, 131 patients were
finally included in the study (Figure 1). Severe valvular disease was
defined as a history of aortic or mitral replacement or repair, evidence
of severe aortic or mitral regurgitation, severe aortic stenosis, or
moderate to severe mitral stenosis. The informed consent on receiving
catheter ablation was obtained from all patients. This study complies
with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local ethics
committee. The data were acquired from routine patient care and all data
used for this study were acquired for clinical purposes and handled
anonymously.