Evaluation Of Left Atrial Function In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Using Real-time Triplane Strain Rate Imaging

Object:To evaluate the alteration of left atrial function of patients with atrial fibrillation using real-time triplane strain rate imaging and to investigate its clinical signification. Methods:35 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,47 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and 33 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Systolic peak strain rate, early diastolic peak strain rate and late diastolic peak strain rate were measured in different left atrial walls using real-time triplane strain rate imaging. Results:Based on electrocardiogram(ECG), patients with Atrial Fibrillation were divided into 2 groups: persistent Atrial Fibrillation(persistent time≥7days) and paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (persistent time<7days). There was a significantly step-down change among controls groups, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation groups and persistent atrial fibrillation groups in mean systolic peak strain rate and mean early diastolic peak strain rate (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conversely, mean late diastolic peak strain rate did not show significant difference in control group and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group. In control group, mean systolic peak strain rate and mean early diastolic peak strain rate correlated with age. In control group, mean systolic peak strain rate and mean early diastolic peak strain rate and correlated with left atrial dimension. In control group, mean late diastolic peak strain rate did not show correlation with age or left atrial dimension. Conclusions:There was a significantly step-down change among controls groups, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation groups and persistent atrial fibrillation groups in mean systolic peak strain rate and mean early diastolic peak strain rate. Real-time triplane strain rate imaging enables assess left atrial dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation.