Transthoracic echocardiographic and artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiography predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence after surgical ablation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF)/flutter (AFl) after surgical ablation remains difficult to predict. Integration of novel biomarkers may enhance risk stratification.

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether combining preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiography (AI-ECG) scores improves the prediction of AF/AFl recurrence after surgical ablation.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1696 patients who underwent surgical AF/AFl ablation from 2006 to 2025 with available preoperative TTE and ECG and postblanking (90-day) ECG follow-up. Clinical, TTE, and AI-ECG variables (AF probability, ECG-estimated age, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, left ventricular dysfunction, and aortic

SUBMITTER: Goings D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12902217 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature