Abstract
Background
The relation of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) to left ventricular function in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is not known.
Objective
To explore the relationship of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) on left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Methods
From June to Nov. 2018, 107 (mean age 67y, 70 men, 73 persistent AF) consecutive patients with symptomatic AF underwent a PVI with LVZ mapping. Before PVI the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV) were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). From feature-tracking of CMR-cine images left ventricular global, systolic and diastolic longitudinal strains (GLS), circumferential strains (GCS) and radial strains (GRS) were calculated.
Results
Of 59 patients CMR scanning in sinus rhythm was performed, LVZ were present in 24 patients.
LVEF was significantly lower in patients with left atrial LVZ (62±9% vs. 55±15%) (p=0,03). Left ventricular stroke volume was significantly decreased by the extent of LVZ (94±23 vs. 72±21ml), (p=0,03).
The left ventricular diastolic strains during ventricular filling (caused by atrial contraction) of GLS (r=−0,52), GCS (r=−0,65) and GRS (r=−0,65) were highly signifcantly correlated to the occurence and extent of LVZ (each p<0,001 respectively).
The only systolic ventricular strain was GLS, which decreased (r=−0,3, p=0,03) by the occurance of atrial low voltage.
Conclusion
The active, atrial part of diastolic left ventricular filling properties is impaired by the occurrence and extent of left atrial LVZ. In patients with left atrial LVZ the left ventricular stroke volume and ejection fraction is decreased already in sinus rhythm. It seems possible that atrial mechanical dysfunction and presence of atrial low voltage maybe predicted by LV diastolic strain analysis.
1131-143 The fate of left atrial thrombi: A prospective and serial follow-up over three years with transesophageal echocardiography and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging
