PulseTrendingJournal ClubResearchersJournalsExplore
Instagram
HomeTrendingJournal ClubExplore
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
February 2, 2026European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging

Prognostic value of the left atrioventricular coupling index in patients with chronic heart failure: a comparative echocardiographic analysis

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

The prognostic significance of the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) in patients with chronic heart failure remains to be fully elucidated.

Does the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) predict adverse outcomes better than established echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic heart failure?

Population

156 consecutive patients with chronic HF referred to an echocardiography laboratory

Comparison

LACI vs established echocardiographic parameters

Design

Retrospective study

Follow-up

Mean 631 ± 227 days

Key result

The left atrioventricular coupling index demonstrated moderate prognostic utility for mortality and heart failure hospitalization (AUC 0.690), but was inferior to traditional echocardiographic indices.

Authors

CTC TrigoRVR VianaJVJ Vasconcelos

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

LACI should not yet inform risk stratification in chronic HF; leaves open its incremental value in prospective cohorts.

Key Points

  • To assess the prognostic value of the left atrioventricular coupling index in chronic heart failure and compare it with established echocardiographic markers.
  • Conducted a retrospective study of patients with chronic heart failure referred for echocardiography.
  • Included patients with a minimum one-year follow-up and assessed composite endpoints of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization.
  • Used ROC curve analysis to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the left atrioventricular coupling index.
  • 156 patients included, with 30 patients (19%) meeting the primary endpoint during follow-up.
  • LACI demonstrated moderate discriminative ability (AUC 0.690) but was less predictive than E/E’ ratio (AUC 0.730) and BpLAiVol (AUC 0.856).
  • Tricuspid regurgitation maximum velocity was identified as an independent predictor of adverse outcomes.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=156)

Structured PICO

Does the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) predict adverse outcomes better than established echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic heart failure?

P
Population
156 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure referred for echocardiography, followed for a mean of 631 days.
E
Exposure
Measurement of left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI)
C
Comparator
Established echocardiographic parameters (E/E' ratio, E/A ratio, BpLAiVol, TRvel, LVEF)
O
Outcome
Composite of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization at minimum 1 year follow-upcomposite

Main Result

Effect estimate: AUC 0.690

p-value: p=0.021

In patients with chronic heart failure, LACI provides moderate prognostic utility but is inferior to traditional echocardiographic indices such as TRvel and left atrial volume.

Limitations

  • Retrospective design requiring prospective validation
  • Standalone prognostic utility remains limited compared to traditional echocardiographic indices
  • Retrospective design

Cite This Study

Trigo et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Chronic heart failure (n=156). Left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) vs. Other echocardiographic parameters (E/E' ratio, E/A ratio, BpLAiVol, TRvel) was evaluated on Composite of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization (AUC 0.690, p=0.021). The left atrioventricular coupling index demonstrated moderate prognostic utility for mortality and heart failure hospitalization (AUC 0.690), but was inferior to traditional echocardiographic indices.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6980ff08c1c9540dea811b72https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeaf367.163
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share