title: Left atrial passive emptying function is preserved in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation--a 320-slice multidetector computed tomography study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Left atrial (LA) mechanical function is thought to be virtually inexistent in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Due to recent advances in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology, it is now possible to acquire images of the entire heart in a single heartbeat. The objective of this study was to compare individual components of LA function assessed by MDCT in patients with permanent AF and patients in sinus rhythm (SR).
  
  
  METHODS
  320-slice MDCT was performed in 30 patients with permanent AF. Measurements of LA volumes during the cardiac cycle were compared to 30 patients in SR, who were matched with respect to age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction and body surface area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LA volumes were significantly larger in patients with AF than SR patients at all times during the cardiac cycle (LA maximal volume; 82 vs. 55 ml/m(2), p < 0.0001, LA minimal volume; 71 vs. 30 ml/m(2), p < 0.0001). However, except for the absence of active LA emptying, the overall trend of the LA time-volume curve was similar in patients with AF and SR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to SR patients, patients with permanent AF have significantly increased LA volumes throughout the cardiac cycle. Yet, a residual hemodynamic role of LA function may be maintained during permanent AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bue Fridolin Ross
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Agner
authors.forename: Jørgen Tobias
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kühl
authors.forename: Klaus Fuglsang
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kofoed
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Engstrøm
authors.forename: Gorm Boje
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dixen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009929:Organ Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity