Key result
AF is linked to significantly lower atrial strain, dropping further with recurrent episodes.
Why the study?
The relationship between atrial function assessed by 2D strain echocardiography and atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with normal or slightly increased atrial size was unclear.
Case-Control (n=100)
p-value: p=<0.001
Reduced atrial strain may aid AF recurrence risk assessment; leaves open its incremental prognostic value in prospective studies.
Objectives To evaluate atrial function by 2D strain in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal or slightly increased atrial size and to verify whether lower atrial strain is associated with more frequent AF recurrences. Materials and methods We studied 50 patients with AF, mean age 59.6 ± 13 years and 50 age-and gender-matched controls. We analyzed left atrial function through 2Dstrain imaging, after the re-establishment of sinus rhythm (SR) and we investigated about the recurrences of the arrhythmia . Results Atrial strain (AS) was lower in AF patients vs controls (LA p<0.001; RA p<0.001). Lower AS was found in subjects with recurrent AF than in those with first episode of arrhythmia (LA4C p=0.01; LA2C p = 0.05; RA p=0.03). Conclusions The assessment of atrial function by strain imaging might help to identify patients who need more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Due to the small studied population and the short follow up period our data need to be confirmed by further and wider studies.
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Novo et al. (2012) conducted a case-control in Atrial fibrillation (n=100). Atrial fibrillation vs. Age- and gender-matched controls was evaluated on Atrial strain (p=<0.001). Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly lower atrial strain compared to controls (P<0.001), with even lower strain observed in patients with recurrent AF versus a first episode.
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