Abstract 12325: Compensatory Increase of Left Atrial External Work to Left Ventricular Dysfunction During Afterload Increase: Insights Into the Mechanism of Decompensation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Abstract

Introduction: Afterload mismatch is considered as a cause of acute decompensation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). However, behaviors of left atrium (LA) and ventricle (LV) to afterload increase have not been fully elucidated. We investigated how LA and LV acted to acute increase in afterload using speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: Serial echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were acquired in 10 dogs during banding of the descending aorta (AoB). LA pressure was measured by a micromanometer via left pulmonary vein. As shown in Figure, peak negative strain during LA contraction and strain change during LA relaxation (early reservoir strain) and that during systole (late reservoir strain) were generated by simultaneous acquisition of LA longitudinal strain and volume. Pressure-strain curve showed 2 loops (A-loop, V-loop) and areas in A-loop and V-loop were computed as the work during active contraction and relaxation (A-work) and that during passive filling and emptying (V-work), respectively. Results: AoB increased LV systolic pressure by about 60 mmHg, mean LA pressure (3.8±1.3 vs. 7.1±2.0 mmHg) and LV end-diastolic pressure (4.5±1.7 vs. 10.7±4.0 mmHg, all p < 0.01). LV global circumferential strain decreased (-18.8±3.5 vs. -13.2±3.5%, p < 0.01) but LV stroke volume was maintained (8.4±2.3 vs. 9.6±3.6 ml). LA peak negative strain (-2.9±2.3 vs. -9.8±4.0%, p < 0.01) and early reservoir strain (3.4±1.1 vs. 7.8±2.6%, p < 0.01) increased substantially by AoB, but late reservoir function did not change (9.3±3.5 vs. 6.1±2.0%). A-work significantly increased (3.2±2.0 to 19.2±15.1 mmHg %, p < 0.01), while V-work did not change (13.3±7.1 vs. 13.6±8.0 mmHg %). Conclusions: During aortic banding, LA contraction, early reservoir function and thereby external work during the phase increased as a compensation to LV dysfunction. The failure of this mechanism may lead to decompensation in HFPEF.