Objective

Atrial arrhythmias and atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) are common causes of morbidity among adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). The impact of rhythm control on AVVR in this population is unknown. We sought to determine whether a rhythm control strategy is associated with greater freedom from AV valve surgery than a rate control strategy.

Design

Patients evaluated by both ACHD and electrophysiology specialists at a single academic center were screened for atrial arrhythmias and at least moderate-severe AVVR. Clinical and electrographic data were abstracted. All echocardiograms were interpreted by a single echocardiographer blinded to treatment strategy. Patients were followed until AV valve surgery, heart transplantation, death, or last clinical follow-up.

Results

Rhythm control was attempted in 9 of 24 identified patients. Among these nine patients, arrhythmias were eliminated in three and reduced from persistent to paroxysmal in another three. In the rhythm control group, mean left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 54.4 ± 12.4% to 60.0 ± 11.5% (P = .02) and mean right ventricular systolic function increased nearly one grade (P = .02). AVVR did not decrease significantly. No significant change in left or right ventricular systolic function, or AVVR was observed among the 15 patients treated with rate control. Four-year survival free of AV valve operation and heart transplant was 88% in the rhythm control group and 31% in the rate control group (P = .04).

Conclusions

In ACHD patients with atrial arrhythmias and at least moderate-severe AVVR, a rhythm control strategy was associated with improved biventricular systolic function. This improvement in ventricular function and symptoms may allow valve surgery to be deferred.