Can Simple Doppler Measurements Estimate Interatrial Conduction Time?

UNLABELLED: Prolongation of the interatrial conduction time (ia-CT) is considered an important factor in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) and as a criterion to perform multisite atrial pacing. Measurement of ia-CT requires an electrophysiologic study. The aim of this study was to compare echocardiographic with electrophysiologic measurements to determine if they are correlated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 32 consecutive patients who underwent electrophysiologic studies. We measured ia-CT between the high right atrium and the distal coronary sinus. In all patients we measured P wave duration, left atrial diameter and area, and ia-CT by Doppler echocardiography was measured as the difference in time intervals between the QRS onset and the tricuspid A wave, and the QRS onset and the mitral A wave (DT). Ia-CT was statistically correlated with DT (r = 0.79, P < 0.0001), but not with P wave duration or left atrial dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement DT may be reliable to estimate ia-CT without invasive procedure. Accordingly, DT could be used as a simple selection criterion when considering patients for atrial resynchronization therapy.