Left Atrial Mechanical Functions, Atrial Electromechanical Delay and P Wave Dispersion in Patients with Mild to Moderate Psoriasis

Abstract

bACkgrOunD: Many systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disturbances, have been described in patients with psoriasis. In previous studies, left ventricular (LV) subclinical myocardial dysfunction has been reported in psoriatic patients. ObjECTivE: To evaluate the effect of psoriasis on left atrial (LA) functions, which is an important determinant in left ventricular filling, atrial electromechanical coupling and P wave dispersion, in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. METHODS: Thirty patients with psoriasis (mean [± SD] age 39±13 years) and 30 controls (mean age 34±8 years) were enrolled. Psoriatic disease severity was evaluated by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. LA volumes were measured using the biplane area-length method, and LA mechanical function parameters were calculated using echocardiography. Atrial electromechanical delays were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. P wave dispersion was calculated using 12-lead electrocardiograms. rESuLTS: There were no significant differences between the groups for LA mechanical function indices. No difference was detected between the groups with regard to interatrial electromechanical delay (PA lat –PA tricus ) and intra-atrial electromechanical delay (PA sep –PA tricus ) (14.4±5.7 ms versus 12.5±4.2 ms; P>0.05 and 6.3±3.5 ms versus 5.1±3.4 ms; P>0.05, respectively). There were no differences between groups with regard to P wave dispersion. COnCLuSiOnS: The present study showed that LA mechanical functions were not impaired in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. Interatrial electromechanical delays were not changed in the psoriasis group. In addition to this, P wave dispersion was not different between two groups.