scholarly journals Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS): better call it stretch?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Y Henein ◽  
Matteo Cameli ◽  
Per Lindqvist ◽  
Urban Wiklund ◽  
Giulia Elena Mandoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Longitudinal Axis ◽  
Physiological Characteristic ◽  
Elastic Compliance ◽  
Contraction Phase ◽  
Relaxation Phase ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Electric Activation

Left atrial (LA) strain is gaining more and more relevance in medical literature, with many applications in different clinical setting. The term “strain”, meaning deformation, is applied to the contraction phase of the left ventricle (LV), due to its myocardial shortening along the longitudinal axis, to the LA relaxation phase, correlated to its distensibility and elastic compliance in receiving blood from the pulmonary veins, and even to LA contraction consequent to the electric activation of LA myocardium. This manuscript describes main anatomical and physiological characteristic of the left atrium and discusses the use of the term strain from terminological and conceptual points of view.

scholarly journals Relationship between left atrial strain and left atrial bipolar voltage in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Takahashi ◽  
T Kitai ◽  
T Watanabe ◽  
T Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Inferior Wall ◽  
Bipolar Voltage ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract Background Low-voltage zone (LVZ) in the left atrium (LA) seems to represent fibrosis. LA longitudinal strain assessed by speckle tracking method is known to correlate with the extent of fibrosis in patients with mitral valve disease. Purpose We sought to identify the relationship between LA longitudinal strain and LA bipolar voltage in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypothesis that LA strain can predict LA bipolar voltage. Methods A total of 96 consecutive patients undergoing initial AF ablation were analyzed. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography including 2D speckle tracking measurement on the day before ablation during sinus rhythm (SR group, N=54) or during AF (AF group, N=42). LA longitudinal strain was measured at basal, mid, and roof level of septal, lateral, anterior, and inferior wall in apical 4- and 2-chamber view. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was defined as an average value of the 12 segments. LA voltage map was created using EnSite system, and global mean voltage was defined as a mean of bipolar voltage of the whole LA excluding pulmonary veins and left atrial appendage. LVZ was defined as less than 1.0 mV. Results There was a significantly positive correlation between GLS and global mean voltage (r=0.708, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that GLS and age were independent predictors of global mean voltage. There was a significant negative correlation between global mean voltage and LVZ areas. Conclusions There was a strong correlation between LA longitudinal strain and LA mean voltage. GLS can independently predict LA mean voltage, subsequently LVZ areas in patients with AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Fluid–structure interaction in a fully coupled three-dimensional mitral–atrium–pulmonary model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liuyang Feng ◽  
Hao Gao ◽  
Nan Qi ◽  
Mark Danton ◽  
Nicholas A. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Valve ◽  
Left Atrium ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Left Heart ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Acute Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Reversal Flow

AbstractThis paper aims to investigate detailed mechanical interactions between the pulmonary haemodynamics and left heart function in pathophysiological situations (e.g. atrial fibrillation and acute mitral regurgitation). This is achieved by developing a complex computational framework for a coupled pulmonary circulation, left atrium and mitral valve model. The left atrium and mitral valve are modelled with physiologically realistic three-dimensional geometries, fibre-reinforced hyperelastic materials and fluid–structure interaction, and the pulmonary vessels are modelled as one-dimensional network ended with structured trees, with specified vessel geometries and wall material properties. This new coupled model reveals some interesting results which could be of diagnostic values. For example, the wave propagation through the pulmonary vasculature can lead to different arrival times for the second systolic flow wave (S2 wave) among the pulmonary veins, forming vortex rings inside the left atrium. In the case of acute mitral regurgitation, the left atrium experiences an increased energy dissipation and pressure elevation. The pulmonary veins can experience increased wave intensities, reversal flow during systole and increased early-diastolic flow wave (D wave), which in turn causes an additional flow wave across the mitral valve (L wave), as well as a reversal flow at the left atrial appendage orifice. In the case of atrial fibrillation, we show that the loss of active contraction is associated with a slower flow inside the left atrial appendage and disappearances of the late-diastole atrial reversal wave (AR wave) and the first systolic wave (S1 wave) in pulmonary veins. The haemodynamic changes along the pulmonary vessel trees on different scales from microscopic vessels to the main pulmonary artery can all be captured in this model. The work promises a potential in quantifying disease progression and medical treatments of various pulmonary diseases such as the pulmonary hypertension due to a left heart dysfunction.

scholarly journals Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Left Atrial Posterior Wall Isolation and Ablation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3129
Author(s):  
Riyaz A. Kaba ◽  
Aziz Momin ◽  
John Camm
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Good Effect ◽  
Complex Forms

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a global disease with rapidly rising incidence and prevalence. It is associated with a higher risk of stroke, dementia, cognitive decline, sudden and cardiovascular death, heart failure and impairment in quality of life. The disease is a major burden on the healthcare system. Paroxysmal AF is typically managed with medications or endocardial catheter ablation to good effect. However, a large proportion of patients with AF have persistent or long-standing persistent AF, which are more complex forms of the condition and thus more difficult to treat. This is in part due to the progressive electro-anatomical changes that occur with AF persistence and the spread of arrhythmogenic triggers and substrates outside of the pulmonary veins. The posterior wall of the left atrium is a common site for these changes and has become a target of ablation strategies to treat these more resistant forms of AF. In this review, we discuss the role of the posterior left atrial wall in persistent and long-standing persistent AF, the limitations of current endocardial-focused treatment strategies, and future perspectives on hybrid epicardial–endocardial approaches to posterior wall isolation or ablation.

scholarly journals Left Circumflex Artery Rupture with Left Atrial Tamponade and Functional Mitral Stenosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Weiting Huang ◽  
Khaled Mohamed Emadeldin Moheb Hammad ◽  
Victor Tar Toong Chao ◽  
Khung Keong Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrium ◽  
Coronary Sinus ◽  
Mitral Stenosis ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Fluid Collection ◽  
Artery Dissection ◽  
Circumflex Artery ◽  
Left Circumflex Artery ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

The growth in percutaneous transluminal devices has enabled operators to tackle more complex, native, and post-bypass surgery anatomy. However, complications such as coronary artery dissection, coronary perforation, retrograde aortic dissection, arrhythmias, and acute coronary syndrome still occur with resulting mortality rates of up to 4.2% in complex interventions. Perforation of the circumflex artery is of particular interest in view of its position and relation to the surrounding cardiac structures. This is a site of potential fluid collection, and as the left atrium is fixed to the parietal pericardium at the entry of the pulmonary veins, fluid in the oblique sinus can accumulate enough pressure to compress the left atrium and the coronary sinus. We present a case of left circumflex artery perforation which demonstrates the physiologic complications of coronary sinus and left atrial compression and the resultant functional mitral stenosis.

scholarly journals Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. CMC.S14043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Romero ◽  
Irving E. Perez ◽  
Andrew Krumerman ◽  
Mario J. Garcia ◽  
Richard J. Lucariello
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thromboembolic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Closure ◽  
Alternative Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Safety Studies

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk for thromboembolic stroke five-fold. The left atrial appendage (LAA) has been shown to be the main source of thrombus formation in the majority of strokes associated with AF. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin and novel anticoagulants remains the standard of care; however, it has several limitations, including bleeding and poor compliance. Occlusion of the LAA has been shown to be an alternative therapeutic approach to drug therapy. The purpose of this article is to review the different techniques and devices that have emerged for the purpose of occluding this structure, with a particular emphasis on the efficacy and safety studies published to date in the medical literature.

scholarly journals A novel individualized strategy for cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ding ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Wei Ma ◽  
Bingwei Chen ◽  
Peigen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Dwell Time ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Conventional Group ◽  
Optimal Dosage ◽  
Total Procedure Time ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background : The optimal dosage for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF) is still unknown. To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized freeze duration, we compared the clinical outcome of patients treated with a time-to-pulmonary vein isolation (TT-PVI) or temperature-guided ablation protocol to the outcome of patients treated with a conventional ablation protocol. Methods: A total of 164 consecutive patients were included in the study. One method employed was a conventional dosing protocol (at least 2 applications of 180 seconds each)(the Cryo-AF Conventional group n=84), and the second method had a shorter protocol that was based on the TT-PVI or achievement of -40°C within 60 seconds (the Cryo-AF Dosing group n=80). Results: We treated 656 pulmonary veins (PVs) with 1420 cryotherapy applications. The mean number of applications per patient was 8.7±0.8, with no difference between groups (Cryo-AF Conventional , 8.7±0.8 versus Cryo-AF Dosing ,8.6±0.8; P =0.359). The Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total cryotherapy application time (990.60±137.77versus 1501.58±89.60 seconds; P <0.001) and left atrial dwell time (69.91±6.91 versus 86.48±7.03 minutes; P <0.001) than the Cryo-AF Conventional group. Additionally, the Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total procedure time (95.03±6.50 versus 112.43±7.11 minutes; P <0.001). We observed acute ATP-induced or spontaneous vein electric reconnections in 13 veins (1.98%) after 20 minutes. The reconnection rates between the Cryo-AF Conventional and Cryo-AF Dosing groups were similar in that 2.98% and 0.94% of the initially isolated veins were reconnected, respectively, ( P =0.061). There was no difference in the recurrence rate of free atrial arrhythmia after a 1-year follow-up, which were 78.75% in the Cryo-AF Dosing group versus 78.57% in the Cryo-AF Conventional group ( P =0.978). Conclusion: A novel Cryo-AF dosing protocol guided by temperature or the TT-PVI can be used to individualize an ablation strategy. This new protocol can lead to a significant reduction in duration of the procedure, the cryoenergy dosage and the left atrial dwell time. The procedure had equal safety and similar acute and 1-year follow-up outcomes compared to the conventional approach.

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