title: Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay and left atrial mechanical functions in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated in psoriasis cases. Prolongation of the duration of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) is a well-known characteristic of the atrium, which is vulnerable to AF. In the current study, our aims are to investigate AEMD durations and mechanical functions of the left atrium (LA) in patients with psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 90 patients, 45 with psoriasis vulgaris and 45 as the control group, were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) and intra- and inter-atrial electromechanical delay (IA-AEMD) were measured with tissue Doppler echocardiography. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. The severity of the disease was evaluated by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The durations of PA lateral and PA septal were significantly high in the psoriasis group when compared with the control group (47.7 ± 9.8 vs. 57.1 ± 8.4 msec, P < 0.001 and 38.6 ± 9.9 vs. 43.6 ± 8 msec, P = 0.016, respectively). The durations of IA-AEMD, intra-right electromechanical delay, and intra-left electromechanical delay in the psoriasis group were significantly prolonged compared with the control group (15.2 ± 4.1 vs. 21.7 ± 5.6 msec, P < 0.001; 6 ± 2.5 vs. 8.7 ± 2.7 msec, P < 0.001; and 9.1 ± 3.9 vs. 13.5 ± 5.2 msec, P < 0.001; respectively). PWD was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis vulgaris compared with controls (36.1 ± 7.9 vs. 40.2 ± 9.1 msec, P = 0.043).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, we found prolongation in the durations of AEMD and PWD in the psoriasis group compared with the control group. These results might be an early predictor of AF and other arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gazi State Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aksan
authors.forename: Gökay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nar
authors.forename: Korhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soylu
authors.forename: Sinan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: İnci
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Hande Serra
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ocal
authors.forename: Esra Pancar
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gulel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D056966:Excitation Contraction Coupling; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: atrial electromechanical delay; atrial fibrillation; psoriasis vulgaris