Background: The range of elevation of troponin I (tI) that is within expected limits from left atrial radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is not well described, though such information may be of clinical value.
Objectives: Identify the expected range of tI values post-atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.
Methods: 31 patients undergoing AF ablation had a single tI level drawn the day following the procedure. Clinical variables were also collected, such as ablation type and radiofrequency (RF) time.
Results: Paroxysmal AF was present in 23 patients, and 8 had chronic AF. The average RF time was 2627.8 ± 737.5 seconds. The mean RF power was 61.7 ± 4.3W (range 55-70W). The mean RF temperature limit was 53.6 ± 2.0°C (range 50-55°C). There was no clinical or electrocardiographic evidence of coronary ischemia in this population. The mean tI the following day was 3.21 ± 1.5 (range 1.48-8.41). There was no correlation between RF time, ablation type, ablation catheter size, and ablation temperature or ablation power and tI levels.
Conclusions: Troponin I elevation post-ablation was ubiquitous. Knowledge of expected post-ablation tI levels may be helpful in the evaluation of post-procedure chest pain
