Key result
Metabolic syndrome was associated with a significantly larger mean left atrial size compared to patients without metabolic syndrome (46.2 vs 41.6 mm; p < 0.011) in patients with paroxysmal AF.
Why the study?
Does metabolic syndrome increase left atrial size in patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=60)
Does metabolic syndrome increase left atrial size in patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 46.2% vs 41.6%
p-value: p=< 0.011
Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased left atrial size in patients with new-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, suggesting a structural mechanism for arrhythmogenesis.
Supports metabolic screening in paroxysmal AF assessment; leaves open causal role and need for longitudinal confirmation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, and it is strongly related to atrial enlargement. Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbility and mortality. However, the impact of the MetSyn on cardiac arrhythmias is poorly elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare atrial dimensions in patients suffering from nonvalvular paroxysmal AF, with and without MetSyn, trying to identify structural differences that could favor the occurrence of this arrhythmia. The study population consisted of 60 patients who presented with at least 1 episode of paroxysmal AF. From these, 26 patients fulfilled the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) definition of MetSyn, while the remaining 34 patients did not. Left atrial size was assessed by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Patients with MetSyn had a mean atrial size of 46.2 -/+ 4.3 mm and those without MetSyn had a mean atrial size of 41.6 -/+ 1.9 mm, p < 0.011. MetSyn may favor the occurrence of paroxysmal AF by increasing atrial size. This concept deserves more research.
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Nicolaou et al. (2007) conducted an observational in Nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=60). Metabolic syndrome vs. Without metabolic syndrome was evaluated on Left atrial size assessed by 2-dimensional echocardiography (p=< 0.011). Metabolic syndrome was associated with a significantly larger mean left atrial size compared to patients without metabolic syndrome (46.2 vs 41.6 mm; p < 0.011) in patients with paroxysmal AF.
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