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Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been found to be associated with a lower incidence of hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HF) in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), according to researchers. AF often coexists with HFpEF, leading to more significant physical limitations and poorer prognosis. The optimal therapy strategy for AF in HFpEF patients has become a topic of interest. In a retrospective analysis of 1,034 patients with both HFpEF and AF, ablation was found to improve outcomes

The primary endpoint, a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization, was lower in patients who underwent ablation compared to those who did not. The observed benefits of AF ablation were mainly driven by a lower risk of HF hospitalization and a lower risk of atrial tachycardia/AF recurrence. Successful cardioversion can enhance ventricular filling, with the atrial contribution to ventricular filling increasing after sinus rhythm restoration. These changes contribute to improvements in both systolic and diastolic indices of the left ventricle in patients who maintain sinus rhythm after AF ablation, ultimately leading to the recovery of HFpEF.