Abstract
The aim of study was to investigate atrial contractile function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in sinus rhythm using transthoracic echocardiography. 35 patients with paroxysmal AF and arterial hypertension (mean age 62 ± 10 years, 43% males) were enrolled in the study. Control group was composed of comparable patients with arterial hypertension without heart rhythm disturbances. We found significant depression of atrial contraction function in patients with AF in sinus rhythm expressed as decrease in left atrium EF, A' velocity and VTI, and increase in A/A' ratio, whereas peak a velocity was not affected. Patients with AF has markedly depressed atrial contractile function in sinus rhythm, to improve measurements accuracy we propose to use A/A' ratio as LA contractile function marker minimally dependent from LV diastolic function.
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