P353 Structural, functional, and electromechanical alterations in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation compared to healthy controls

Abstract

Abstract Background and Methods We sought to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic differences between healthy controls and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters (performed in sinus rhythm) in 46 paroxysmal AF patients were compared with a departmental database of 83 health controls. Results AF patients were older and had increased body size (Table 1). 39/46 (84%) of AF patients had hypertension and 23/46 (50%) had diabetes mellitus. AF patients had increased left ventricular (LV) mass, and reduced diastolic function (lower e’ and increased E/e’ ratio) when compared to healthy controls. Left atrial (LA) volumes were significantly increased in the AF group. All strain parameters – reservoir, conduit, and contractile strain – were impaired in AF patients compared to controls. LA mechanical dispersion (MD) was significantly increased in AF patients. A ratio of indexed LA volume/LA reservoir strain was significantly higher in AF patients over controls. The duration of AF had an inverse correlation with LA reservoir strain (Fig 1) (r=–0.78; p < 0.001). Conclusions Compared to healthy controls, patients with paroxysmal AF have significant structural, functional and electromechanical alterations. LA strain is significantly impaired in paroxysmal AF and correlates with AF duration. Table 1. Echocardiographic parameters Parameter Controls (mean ± SD) AF patients (mean ± SD) P value Age (years) 48 ± 18 58 ± 14 0.001 Body surface area (m2) 1.9 ± 0.2 2 ± 0.2 0.014 LV mass (g) 178 ± 48 223 ± 68 <0.001 Average e’ velocity (cms-1) 10.3 ±2.7 8.1 ± 2.2 <0.001 E/e’ 7.4 ± 1.9 9.3 ± 3.4 0.001 Indexed LA end systolic volume (ml/m2) 27.2 ± 7.1 39.0 ± 11.6 <0.001 LA ejection fraction 55.2 ± 10.4 48.5 ± 14.0 0.007 LA functional index 43.7 ± 14.6 29.8 ± 14.3 <0.001 LA reservoir strain (%) 34.3 ± 6.8 27.9± 8.1 <0.001 LA conduit strain (%) 18.4 ± 6.2 13.5 ± 4.7 <0.001 LA contractile strain (%) 15.9 ± 3.9 14.4 ± 5.5 0.007 LA mechanical dispersion (ms) 25.8 ± 9.6 30.9 ± 11.6 0.018 Indexed LA volume / Reservoir strain ratio 0.8 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.9 <0.001 LV = left ventricular; LA = left atrium; SD = standard deviation Abstract P353 Figure. Fig 1. AF duration vs. Reservoir strain