title: Disturbed Left Atrial Function is Associated with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The pressure overload in the left atrium induces pathophysiological changes leading to alterations in contractile function and electrical properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study our aim was to assess left atrial function in hypertensive patients to determine the association between left atrial function with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 57 hypertensive patients (age: 53 ± 4 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 76 ± 6.7%), including 30 consecutive patients with PAF and 30 age-matched control subjects. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured using the modified Simpson's biplane method. Three types of LA volume were determined: maximal LA(LAVmax), preatrial contraction LA(LAVpreA) and minimal LA volume(LAVmin). LA emptying functions were calculated. LA total emptying volume = LAVmax-LAVmin and the LA total EF = (LAVmax-LAVmin )/LAVmax, LA passive emptying volume = LAVmax- LAVpreA and the LA passive EF = (LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax, LA active emptying volume = LAVpreA-LAVmin and LA active EF = (LAVpreA-LAVmin )/LAVpreA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hypertensive period is longer in hypertensive group with PAF. LAVmax significantly increased in hypertensive group with PAF when compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.010). LAAEF was significantly decreased in hypertensive group with PAF as compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.020). A' was decreased in the hypertensive group with PAF when compared to those without PAF (p = 0.044).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased LA volume and impaired LA active emptying function was associated with PAF in untreated hypertensive patients. Longer hypertensive period is associated with PAF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tenekecioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fahriye Vatansever
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Agca
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem Arican
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ozluk
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karaagac
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Adana State Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serafettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tezcan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peker
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuzeytemiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Senturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology