Atrial myocardial deformation properties are temporarily reduced after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and correlate well with left atrial appendage function.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate whether left atrial strain and strain rate correlate well with transesophageal parameters of stunning after atrial fibrillation.


RESULTS
Twenty-two consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation >/=3 months and <1 year were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography with color Doppler myocardial imaging were performed before, 1 day after and 10 days after successful cardioversion. Left atrial transthoracic strain (S) and strain rate (SR) from lateral, inferior and anterior atrial walls, left atrial appendage tissue velocities, strain and strain rate values were measured with offline analysis. Left atrial appendage emptying (LAAEV) and filling (LAAFV) velocities were obtained from transesophageal echocardiography. Left atrial transthoracic, and left atrial appendage strain and strain rates were significantly lower following 1 day after cardioversion (TTE S/SR, 5.0 +/- 2.8%/2.3 +/- 1.0; TEE (septal) S/SR, 7.6 +/- 3.6%/1.6 +/- 0.7). There was a good correlation between these parameters and LAAEV (LA systolic strain and LAAEV, r = 0.73, P = 0.007). Left atrial and LAA strain and strain rate values improved over time, and correlated well with LAAEV, measured 10 days after cardioversion.


CONCLUSIONS
Transthoracic atrial and TEE LAA strain and strain rate, which are quantitative measures of atrial function, are reduced after cardioversion, and recover subsequently. The good correlation between LAA function and TTE strain and strain rate suggests that TTE atrial parameters may help determine duration of anticoagulation.
Kaya
Ergün Baris
EB
Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. doctorkaya@yahoo.com
Tokgözoglu
Lale
L
Aytemir
Kudret
K
Kocabas
Ugur
U
Tülümen
Erol
E
Deveci
Onur Sinan
OS
Köse
Sedat
S
Kabakçi
Giray
G
Nazli
Nasih
N
Ozkutlu
Hilmi
H
Oto
Ali
A
D000368:Aged; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged