title: Atrial function in heart transplant recipients operated with the bicaval technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In heart transplantation (HTx) with the bicaval technique the whole right atrium (RA) is donor tissue while the left atrium (LA) consists of both donor and recipient tissue. The aims of the study were to describe atrial function in comparison with healthy controls and to identify determinants of dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients and 30 controls were retrospectively included. Echocardiography was performed within 24 h of right heart catheterization (RHC) (HTx recipients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The peak longitudinal atrial systolic strain (ɛ) described the atrial reservoir function. The LA and RA reservoir function were reduced versus controls (LA-ɛ 18 ± 8 versus 44 ± 10%; RA-ɛ 22 ± 10 versus 69 ± 17%, p < 0.001). There were moderate relationships between atrial-ɛ and ventricular filling pressure (r = -0.64 for LA-ɛ; r = -0.57 for RA-ɛ). In a multiple regression analysis the LA-ɛ was determined by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and LA minimum volume index (r = -0.71) while RA-ɛ was dependent on the right ventricular ɛ (r = -0.77).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrial reservoir function is markedly reduced in HTx recipients related to elevated PCWP and LA-enlargement in the LA and in the RA impaired longitudinal right ventricular function.
authors.affiliation: a Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.|b Department of Clinical Physiology , Institute of Medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Odd
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bech-Hanssen
authors.affiliation: a Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pergola
authors.affiliation: a Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Admawi
authors.affiliation: a Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bahaa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fadel
authors.affiliation: a Heart Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Salvo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D016280:Atrial Function, Right; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Heart transplant recipients; atrial function; echocardiography; right heart catheterization