Atrial fibrillation per se was a major determinant of global left ventricular longitudinal systolic strain. Issue 26 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Hung-Hao; Lee, Meng-Kuang; Lee, Wen-Hsien; Hsu, Po-Chao; Chu, Chun-Yuan; Lee, Chee-Siong; Lin, Tsung-Hsien; Voon, Wen-Chol; Lai, Wen-Ter; Sheu, Sheng-Hsiung; Su, Ho-Ming
• Editors: Roever., Leonardo
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 95:Issue 26(2016)
• Page Start: e4038
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation -- global longitudinal systolic strain -- left ventricular systolic function; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause systolic abnormality via inadequate diastolic filling and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a very sensitive method for detecting subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate whether AF patients had a more impaired GLS, AF was a major determinant of GLS, and determine the major correlates of GLS in AF patients. The study included 137 patients with persistent AF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) above 50% and 137 non-AF patients matched according to age, gender, and LVEF. Comprehensive echocardiography with GLS assessment was performed for all cases. Compared with non-AF patients, AF patients had a more impaired GLS, a larger left atrial volume index, higher transmitral E wave velocity (E), and early diastolic mitral velocity (Ea) (all P < 0.001) but comparable E/Ea. After adjustment for baseline and echocardiographic characteristics, the presence of AF remained significantly associated with impaired GLS (β = 0.533, P < 0.001). In addition, multivariate analysis of AF patients indicated that faster heart rates and decreased E, Ea, and LVEF were associated with more impaired GLS. This study demonstrated that AF patients had a more impaired GLS than non-AF patients, although LVEF was comparable between the 2 groups. AF was a major determinant of GLS even after adjustment for relevant clinical and echocardiographic parameters.