AF ablation reverses 'idiopathic' cardiomyopathy.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Brief Article)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Many patients who have atrial fibrillation along with a low left ventricular ejection fraction in the absence of coronary disease appear to have an unrecognized atrial fibrillation-induced cardiomyopathy that's reversible upon catheter ablation of the atrial arrhythmia, Dr. Philip Gentlesk said at the annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Traditionally, patients with a decreased ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation (AF) in the absence of ischemic heart disease were diagnosed with "idiopathic" dilated cardiomyopathy. But catheter ablation of AF is generating evidence that casts doubt on that traditional interpretation, according to Dr.…