Prognostic significance of left atrial volume index after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Abstract Background Left atrial (LA) volume has been characterized as a strong predictive factor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular occurrences after myocardial infarction (MI). Purpose The aim of our study was to examine the prognostic significance of the left atrial volume index (LAVI) in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke after MI. Methods Our study is prospective and includes one hundred patients with acute MI, who underwent primary percutaneous angioplasty immediately after admission to the hospital.. LA volume was measured 48 hours after admission to the hospital, using the Biplane Simson method, which was indexed to body surface area. The patients were followed for 12 months on average. Results The average value of LAVI was higher in patients who had heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke after MI. AMI patients who developed heart failure during the observed period had a mean LAVI of 29.9ml/m2 ±6.7, and patients without heart failure had a mean LAVI of 24.0ml/m2 ± 2.0 (p <0.001). Mean LAVI in patients with atrial fibrillation was 33.6ml/m2 ±8.1, and without atrial fibrillation 25.1ml/m2 ± 2.9 (p <0.001). Patients who had a stroke during the observed period had a mean LAVI 35ml/m2 ± 6.9, and patients without a stroke had a mean LAVI 26.3ml/m2 ±5.2 (p <0.001). The results of the univariable logistic regression are presented. Conclusion LAVI value has a statistically significant effect on predicting the occurrence of heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke after MI. LAVI is a strong predictive factor after myocardial infarction.