Abstract：Objective To investigate the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation. Methods We selected 150 patients diagnosed with paroxysmal AF who had undergone radiofrequency ablation. They were divided into normal RDW group (96 cases) and elevated RDW group (54 cases) according to preoperative RDW level. The AF recurrence was followed up for observation and compared between the two groups; regression analysis was performed to explore the predictive factors of AF recurrence after ablation. Results In the elevated RDW group, the level of high sensitive Creactive protein (hs-CRP) of patients is higher than that in the normal RDW group (P<0.05) while the recurrence rate of AF after ablation is also higher than that in the normal RDW group (24.1% vs. 11.5%, P＜0.05). Multivariate regression analysis shows that RDW, AF duration, left atrial diameter and hs-CRP level are independent predictors of AF recurrence after ablation. Conclusion Among the AF patients with increased RDW, the recurrence rate of AF after ablation significantly increases. Intervention measures should be strengthened for these patients.
