3.1 Patient characteristics, echocardiographic variables, and LA
pressure
Of the 102 patients with AF, 29 (28%) had LVZs >1.0
cm2 on the anterior LA wall at LA-ascending aorta
contact areas (LVZ Group), and the other 73 patients had no such LVZs
(No LVZ Group). Clinical characteristics of the patients, their
echocardiographic variables, and LA pressures are shown per study group
in Table 1. Male sex was significantly less prevalent and BW was
significantly lower in the LVZ Group than in the No LVZ Group. Maximum
LA pressure was significantly greater in the LVZ Group than in the No
LVZ Group, and average LA pressure tended to be greater in the LVZ
Group. There was no significant between-group difference in
comorbidities, prevalence of paroxysmal AF, CHADS2 scores, AF-associated
biomarkers, use of antiarrhythmic drugs before the procedure, or
echocardiographic variables.