Key result
Sustained AF over 2.5 months is not linked to significant LA or LAA remodeling.
Why the study?
It was uncertain whether one to two months of sustained atrial fibrillation causes significant left atrial or left atrial appendage enlargement or functional remodelling.
Does short-term sustained atrial fibrillation cause left atrial or left atrial appendage anatomical and functional remodeling in patients with recent onset AF?
Observational (n=20)
Does short-term sustained atrial fibrillation cause left atrial or left atrial appendage anatomical and functional remodeling in patients with recent onset AF?
Short-term sustained atrial fibrillation (1-2 months) does not cause significant anatomical or functional remodeling of the left atrium or left atrial appendage.
Short-term AF may not prompt early remodeling concerns in recent-onset cases; leaves open duration thresholds and requires prospective confirmation.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is significant atrial or atrial appendage enlargement or functional remodelling as a result of one to two months of sustained atrial fibrillation, a duration similar to that experienced by patients undergoing warfarin anticoagulation before elective cardioversion. METHODS: To test the hypothesis that left atrial and left atrial appendage enlargement develop as a result of short term atrial fibrillation, serial anatomical and functional indices were measured using transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in 20 patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation (14 men, six women; mean (SEM) age 67 (2) years). Serial TOE was performed 2.5 months apart in patients with sustained atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: There was no significant change in left atrial area (23.7 cm(2) to 24.1 cm(2), p = 0.98); length (5.7 cm to 5.7 cm, p = 0.48); width (5.2 cm to 5.2 cm, p = 0. 65); volume (83 cm(3) to 87 cm(3), p = 0.51) or left atrial appendage area (7.9 cm(2) to 8.1 cm(2), p = 0.89); length (4.6 cm to 4.5 cm, p = 0.8); or width (2.5 to 2.4 cm, p = 0.87). Peak left atrial appendage velocity ejection (0.2 m/s to 0.2 m/s, p = 0.57), and presence of severe spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrial appendage (n = 15 (75%) to n = 13 (72%)) were also not significantly different. There was no correlation between changes in left atrial or left atrial appendage dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of sustained atrial fibrillation, significant left atrial and left atrial appendage functional and anatomical remodelling do not occur with atrial fibrillation of a duration similar to that used for conservative anticoagulation in preparation for cardioversion.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Weigner et al. (1999) conducted an observational in Recent onset atrial fibrillation (n=20). Sustained atrial fibrillation vs. Baseline measurements was evaluated on Left atrial area (p=0.98). Short-term sustained atrial fibrillation over 2.5 months did not cause significant left atrial or left atrial appendage remodeling (e.g., left atrial area 23.7 to 24.1 cm2, p=0.98).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: