Relationship between left atrial size and stroke in patients with sinus rhythm and preserved systolic function.
OBJECTIVE
Increased left atrial (LA) size has been proposed as a predictor of poor cardiovascular outcome in the elderly. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between LA size and stroke in subjects of all ages who presented with preserved left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) and sinus rhythm (SR), and investigated the relationships between LA size and other echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function.


METHODS
A total of 472 subjects were enrolled in the study (161 men, 311 women) and divided into the stroke group (n=75) and control group (n=397). A conventional echocardiographic study was then performed. Subjects with valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or coronary heart disease were excluded.


RESULTS
The mean subject age was 65.2+/-5.1 years in the stroke group and 65.6+/-5.9 years in the control group. Mitral inflow pattern and E & A velocity showed no significant relationship with stroke (p=NS, p=NS, respectively). Left ventricular mass index and LA dimension were significantly related to stroke (p=0.003, p=0.023, respectively), and hypertension showed a marginal relationship with stroke (p=0.050). Age was not related to stroke in the present study (p=NS).


CONCLUSIONS
The LA dimension is significantly related to the incidence of stroke. Therefore, strategies for prevention of stroke in patients with preserved LVSF and SR should be considered in cases of LA enlargement.
Kim
Bong Soo
BS
Department of Cardiology, Fatima General Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Lee
Hyun Jik
HJ
Kim
Jae Hoon
JH
Jang
Hee Sang
HS
Bae
Byung Seok
BS
Kang
Hyun Jae
HJ
Lee
Bong Ryeol
BR
Jung
Byung Chun
BC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D013599:Systole; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*