scholarly journals Enlarged Left Atrium And Decreased Left Atrial Strain are Associated with Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Hyperthyroidism Irrespective of Conventional Risk Factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Geum Shin ◽  
Min-Kyung Kang ◽  
Donghoon Han ◽  
Seonghoon Choi ◽  
Jung Rae Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Left Atrium ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Valvular Diseases ◽  
Conventional Risk Factors

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with AF in patients with hyperthyroidism beyond heart failure (HF), coronary heart disease (CHD), or valvular diseases.Methods: A total of 136 patients (mean age, 52 ± 15 years; 86 [63%] female) who were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism for the first time were enrolled. Patients who had HF, CHD, or significant valvular diseases were excluded. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence (group 1, n=40) and absence of AF (group 2, n=96). Results: AF occurred in 40 (29%) patients and 23 (58%) of these patients showed paroxysmal AF. Among the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the most common chief complaint was palpitation (30%). Advanced age, presence of prior cerebrovascular events, and presence of palpitations were associated with AF. Larger left atrial volume index (LAVI), increased left ventricular mass index, and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and S’ velocity were associated with AF. Among them, presence of palpitations and increased LAVI were independently associated with the occurrence of AF. In addition, strain analysis, decreased LA expansion index (EI), ejection fraction (EF), peak atrial longitudinal strain, contraction strain, and late diastolic strain rate (A sr) and systolic strain rate (S sr) were associated with the occurrence of AF and LAVI.Conclusion: Presence of palpitations and enlarged left atrium were associated with the occurrence of AF in patients with hyperthyroidism irrespective of conventional risk factors. Additional LA analysis revealed that decreased LA function was associated with AF and enlarged left atrium.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Left Atrial Phasic Function in Hypertensive Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Tabata ◽  
Kazuhiro Shimizu ◽  
Yukihiro Morinaga ◽  
Naoaki Tanji ◽  
Ruiko Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
The Relationship

Background: To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness, reflected by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) value, and left atrial (LA) phasic function in hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods: We retrospectively studied 165 consecutive patients (mean age, 66.5 ± 11.7 years) diagnosed with hypertension with preserved LVEF who had undergone CAVI measurement and echocardiography on the same day. The latter included speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LA phasic function (reservoir, conduit, and pump strain) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS).Results: The results of univariate analysis showed CAVI value to be correlated with LA reservoir strain and LA conduit strain (r = −0.387 and −0.448, respectively; both P < 0.0001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed CAVI value to be independently related to age (β = 0.241, P = 0.002) and LA conduit strain (β = −0.386, P = 0.021) but not LV mass index, LA volume index, or LV systolic function (including LVGLS).Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF, increased CAVI value appears to be independently associated with impaired LA phasic function (particularly LA conduit function) before LA and LV remodeling. CAVI determination to assess arterial stiffness may be useful in the early detection of interactions between cardiovascular abnormalities in hypertensive patients.

scholarly journals P320 Left atrial mechanics in moderate mitral valve disease: earlier markers of damage

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Alves ◽  
A V Marinho ◽  
J A Ferreira ◽  
J Milner ◽  
A Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Valve ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Mitral Valve Disease ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Valve Disease ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection

Abstract BACKGROUND Left atrial (LA) mechanics is impaired in mitral valve disease, but it is not clear whether reservoir, conduit or contractile functions are differentially impaired in stenosis (MS) or regurgitation (MR). We aimed to study LA mechanics in patients with moderate MR or moderate MS and identify discriminators of disease. METHODS We conducted a prospective, observational study of 100 patients with isolated moderate MR and 100 patients with moderate MS. LA mechanics with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) assessed LA reservoir (LA ɛsys and SRs), conduit(LAɛe, SRe), and contractile (LAɛa, SRa) functions. Left ventricle (LV) functional parameters were assessed as well, including LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) and LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS). RESULTS The mean age was 67 ± 14 years and 75% were female. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDD), LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) did not differ between MR and MS (table 1).LA indexed volume (LAVi) and LA strain did not vary between MR and MS, but strain rate did. SRs and SRe had better values in MR, whereas SRa had worse values in MR (table 1). SRe (<-0.7%) had the superior discriminative power for MR, with an area under the curve of 0.85, sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 85%. CONCLUSIONS LA strain rate phases were the only parameters that varied between MR and MS. Contractile phase strain rate was more impaired in MR and conduit phase strain rate in MS. This highly specific data reflect the earlier hemodynamic changes occurring in LA in the setting of mitral valve disease. mMR mMS P value LVEF (±SD,%) 57.4 ± 6.4 59.6 ± 4.6 0.145 LV-GLS (±SD, %) -17.7 ± 4.5 -17.1 ± 3.5 0.587 sPAP (±SD, mmHg) 30.3 ± 10.5 32.4 ± 8.3 0.387 LAVi (± SD, ml/m2) 46.3 ± 6.4 48.2 ± 7.4 0.281 LAɛs (± SD, %) 15.8 ± 7.3 13.3 ± 9 0.062 LAɛe (± SD, %) 8.4 ± 4.7 7.1 ± 5.4 0.074 LAɛa (± SD, %) 6.3 ± 4.8 7.4 ± 4.5 0.081 LA SRs (± SD, %) 0.8 ± 0.4 0.6 ± 0.3 0.004 LA SRe (± SD, %) -0.9 ± 0.5 -0.5 ± 0.3 <0.001 LA SRa (± SD, %) -0.5 ± 0.4 -0.8 ± 0.5 0.007

scholarly journals Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Associated with the Risk of Thrombus in the Left Atrial Appendage in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska ◽  
Paweł Krzesiński ◽  
Agnieszka Jurek ◽  
Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka ◽  
Iwona Gorczyca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Introduction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high risk of ischemic stroke. The most frequent thrombus location in AF is the left atrial appendage (LAA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a basic diagnostic examination in patients (pts) with AF. Objectives. To analyse the relations between basic echocardiographic features, well-established stroke risk factors, type of AF, and anticoagulation therapy with the incidence of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT). Patients and Methods. The study group consisted of 768 pts with AF (mean age, 63 years), admitted to three high-reference cardiology departments. Five hundred and twenty-three pts were treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 227 (30%) with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The subjects underwent TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before cardioversion or ablation. Results. LAAT was significantly more frequent in pts with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): in 10.6% (7 pts) with LVEF<40% and in 9.0% (9 pts) with LVEF 40-49%, while only in 5.5% (33 pts) with LVEF>50%. Compared to pts without LAAT, those with LAAT presented with lower LVEF and higher left atrial diameter (LAD). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following variables as independent predictors of LAAT: previous bleeding, treatment with VKA, and LVEF. Conclusion. LAAT is related to lower LVEF and higher LAD. LVEF is one of the independent predictors of LAAT. Even in the case of adequate anticoagulant therapy, it might be prudent to consider TEE before cardioversion or ablation in patients with low LVEF and LA enlargement, especially in the coexistence of other thromboembolic risk factors.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Comparison with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1752
Author(s):  
Joanna Petryka-Mazurkiewicz ◽  
Karolina Kryczka ◽  
Łukasz Mazurkiewicz ◽  
Barbara Miłosz-Wieczorek ◽  
Mateusz Śpiewak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection

Background: Peripartum (PPCM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies are distinct forms of cardiac disease that share certain aspects in clinical presentation. Aim: We hypothesized that different cardiac structural changes underlie PPCM and DCM, and we aimed to investigate them with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods: We included 21 PPCM patients (30.5 ± 5.9 years) and 30 female DCM patients (41.5 ± 16.8 years) matched for left ventricular ejection fraction. Biventricular and biatrial volumetric and functional parameters were assessed along with ventricular and atrial strain indices based on feature-tracking techniques. The presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was also assessed. Results: In PPCM, the left ventricular (LV) stroke volume index was lower (p = 0.04), right atrial (RA) minimal and pre-systolic volumes were higher (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively), and the total RA ejection fraction was lower (p = 0.02) in comparison to DCM. Moreover, in PPCM, the LV global longitudinal strain (p = 0.03), global circumferential strain rate (p = 0.04), and global longitudinal strain rate (p < 0.01) were less impaired than in DCM. Both PPCM and DCM patients with LGE had more dilated ventricles and more impaired LV and left atrial function than in PPCM and DCM patients without LGE. Conclusions: Subtle differences appear on CMR between PPCM and DCM. Most importantly, the RA is larger and more impaired, and LV global longitudinal strain is less reduced in PPCM than in DCM. Furthermore, similarly to DCM, PPCM patients with LGE have more dilated and impaired ventricles than patients without LGE.

COVID-19-associated myocarditis: single center experience of pathogenetic treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
V. M. Kovalenko ◽  
E. G. Nesukay ◽  
N. S. Titova ◽  
S. V. Cherniuk ◽  
R. M. Kirichenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricle ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Glucocorticoid Therapy ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

The aim – to evaluate the effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with myocarditis with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction that developed after COVID-19 infection.Materials and methods. The results of glucocorticoid therapy in 32 patients aged (35.2±2.3) years with acute myocarditis after COVID-19 infection and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40 % are presented. All patients were prescribed a 3-month course of methylprednisolone at a daily dose of 0.25 mg/kg, followed by a gradual dose reduction of 1 mg per week until complete withdrawal 6 months after the start of treatment.Results and discussion. The analysis of the results of the examinations was performed in the 1st month from the onset of myocarditis to the appointment of glucocorticoids and after 6 months of observation. Six months later, the end-diastolic volume index decreased by 18.5 %, the left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 23.8 %, and the longitudinal global systolic straine increased by 39.8 %. On cardiac MRI, the number of left ventricular segments affected by inflammatory changes decreased from 6.22±0.77 to 2.89±0.45 segments, and the number of segments with fibrotic changes did not change significantly. After 6 months of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and cardiospecific antibodies.Conclusions. The use of a 6-month course of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with myocarditis that developed after COVID-19 infection improved the contractility of the left ventricle against the background of a significant reduction in inflammatory lesions of the left ventricle and reduced concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and cardiospecific antibodies.

Strong risk factors for depression and anxiety in heart failure patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naila Niaz ◽  
Syed Muhammad Faraz Ali ◽  
Attaullah Younas ◽  
Tallat Anwar Faridi ◽  
Asif Hanif
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Heart Failure Patients

Despite advancing medical technology, Heart Failure (HF) is still a prevalent disease with high mortality and high health expenditure. To improve patient outcome and prognosis, it is important to identify the association of risk factors which leads to the co-morbid depression and anxiety in heart failure patients. Objectives: To determine the association of depression and/or anxiety with age, gender and ejection fraction in heart failure patients. Methods: It is an analytical cross sectional study including 323 CHF patients who visited the to the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology hospital Out-Patient Department, 250 were males and 73 were females, mean age was 54.1 ± 9.2 years having 70 years as maximum and 25 years as minimum.  Data collection was done using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire to assess depression and anxiety. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. For quantitative data, mean and standard deviation was calculated and for qualitative data frequency and percentages was calculated. To measure the association of anxiety and depression with age categories, ejection fraction and gender, chi square test was used. P values less than and equal to 0.05 were taken as significant. Results: No association of depression and anxiety with gender and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) was observed. However, depression and anxiety were found to be significantly associated with age Conclusions: The study concluded that age is a strong risk factor of depression and anxiety in congestive heart failure patients. Multidisciplinary health care team approach and interventions are required to cater chronic heart failure (CHF) patients to address the psychological burden.

Atrial function discriminates paroxysmal AF patients with HFpEF from those without HFpEF: subanalysis from AF-RISK study

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Artola ◽  
B Santema ◽  
R De With ◽  
B Nguyen ◽  
D Linz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Function ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Right Atria

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Grant support from the Dutch Heart Foundation [NHS2010B233] Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are two cardiovascular conditions that often coexist. Overlapping symptoms, biomarker profile, and echocardiographic changes hinder the diagnosis of underlying HFpEF in patients with AF and suggest that both conditions might reflect similar remodelling processes in the heart. Purpose. To assess cardiac remodelling in AF patients with versus without concomitant HFpEF by transthoracic echocardiography, focusing on atrial dimension and strain. Methods. We selected 120 patients included in AF-RISK, a prospective, observational, multicentre study aiming to identify a risk profile to guide atrial fibrillation therapy study. Patients had paroxysmal AF diagnosed within three years before inclusion, had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% and were in sinus rhythm at the moment of performing echocardiography and blood sampling. Patients were matched by nearest neighbour by age and sex with a 1:1 ratio and were classified into two groups: 1) AF with HFpEF (n = 60) and 2) AF without HFpEF (n = 60). The diagnosis of HFpEF was based on the 2016 ESC heart failure guidelines, including symptoms and signs of heart failure, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) ≥125pg/ml, and one of the following echocardiographic measures: left atrium volume index (LAVI) &gt;34ml/m2, left ventricular mass index ≥115g/m2 for men and ≥95g/m2 for women, average E/e’ ≥13cm/s and average e’ &lt;9cm/s. Measurements of reservoir, conduit and contraction strain of both atria were performed in apical four-chamber by echocardiography (GE, EchoPac BT12). Associations of clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were tested for collinearity by multivariable logistic regression analyses. LAVI, LV mass index and NT-proBNP were excluded from multivariable analysis since these markers were part of the HFpEF diagnostic criteria. Results. Patients with paroxysmal AF and concomitant HFpEF had more often hypertension (72% vs. 45%, P = 0.005), had more impaired strain phases of both the left and right atria (figure 1), had comparable LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (P = 0.168 and P = 0.212, respectively). In a model adjusted for the number of comorbidities and sex, LA contraction decrease was associated with presence of HFpEF (odds ratio per 1% LA contraction-percent was 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.99, P = 0.042). LA contraction was not explained by LAVI in patients with concomitant HFpEF (Spearman’s rho= -0.07, P = 0.08). Conclusion. Our results show that atrial function may differentiate paroxysmal AF patients with HFpEF from those without HFpEF. In patients with paroxysmal AF, more impaired strain phases of the left and right atria were associated with concomitant HFpEF, whereas ventricular function, reflected by LVEF and GLS, did not differ. Abstract Figure. Strain distribution of both atria

Abstract 4205: Left Atrial Volume Index and Left Ventricular Geometry Independently Predict Mortality in 47,865 Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmendrakumar A Patel ◽  
Carl J Lavie ◽  
Richard V Milani ◽  
Hector O Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Mortality Prediction ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Geometry ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Atrial Volume ◽  
Left Atrial Volume Index

Background: LV geometry predicts CV events but it is unknown whether left atrial volume index (LAVi) predicts mortality independent of LV geometry in patients with preserved LVEF. Methods: We evaluated 47,865 patients with preserved EF to determine the impact of LAVi and LV geometry on mortality during an average follow-up of 1.7±1.0 years. Results: Deceased patients (n=3,653) had significantly higher LAVi (35.3 ± 15.9 vs. 29.1 ± 11.9, p<0.0001) and abnormal LV geometry (60% vs. 41%, p<0.0001) than survivors (n=44,212). LAVi was an independent predictor of mortality in all four LV geometry groups [Hazard ratio: N= 1.007 (1.002–1.011), p=0.002; concentric remodeling= 1.008 (1.001–1.012), p<0.0001; eccentric hypertrophy= 1.012 (1.006 –1.018), p<0.0001; concentric hypertrophy=1.017 (1.012–1.022), p<0.0001; Figure ]. Comparison of models with and without LAVi for mortality prediction was significant suggesting increased mortality prediction by addition of LAVi to other independent predictors (Table ). Conclusion: LAVi is higher and LV geometric abnormalities are more prevalent in deceased patients with preserved systolic function and are independently associated with increased mortality. LAVi predicts mortality independent of LV geometry and has synergistic influence on all cause mortality prediction in large cohort of patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism as an Independent Determinant of Left Atrial Dysfunction in the General Population

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koki Nakanishi ◽  
Masao Daimon ◽  
Yuriko Yoshida ◽  
Naoko Sawada ◽  
Kazutoshi Hirose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Left Heart ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical entity and carries independent risk for incident heart failure (HF), its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction is unclear. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left atrial (LA) phasic strain can unmask subclinical left heart abnormalities and are excellent predictors for HF. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SCH and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease. Methods We examined 1078 participants who voluntarily underwent extensive cardiovascular health check-ups, including laboratory tests and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LVGLS and LA reservoir, conduit, and pump strain. SCH was defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level with normal concentration of free thyroxine. Results Mean age was 62 ± 12 years, and 56% were men. Seventy-eight (7.2%) participants exhibited SCH. Individuals with SCH had significantly reduced LA reservoir (37.1 ± 6.6% vs 39.1 ± 6.6%; P = 0.011) and conduit strain (17.3 ± 6.3% vs 19.3 ± 6.6%; P = 0.012) compared with those with euthyroidism, whereas there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, LA volume index, LVGLS, and LA pump strain between the 2 groups. In multivariable analyses, SCH remained associated with impaired LA reservoir strain, independent of age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters. including LVGLS (standardized β −0.054; P = 0.032). Conclusions In an unselected community-based cohort, individuals with SCH had significantly impaired LA phasic function. This association may be involved in the higher incidence of HF in subjects with SCH.

P4379Pathophysiology of left atrial filling in mitral regurgitation. A new volumetric flow rate index describing disturbed left atrial filling behavior in mitral regurgitation by 3D TTE

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Frumkin ◽  
K Stangl ◽  
A Muegge ◽  
T Buck ◽  
B Plicht
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Left Atrium ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Volume Overload ◽  
Volumetric Flow Rate ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flow Rates

Abstract Background In chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) the left atrium (LA) is one of the first cardiac structures involved in remodeling by progressive volume overload. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography is able to monitor volumetric changes of the left atrium during the heart cycle. Purpose We hypothesized that chronic volume overload due to MR leads to detectable changes in the LA filling behavior described by mean and maximum filling flow rates and their relation called volumetric flow rate index. Methods We prospectively analyzed data of 36 patients in different stages of chronic MR and 13 patients without MR. Transthoracic echocardiography was conducted using the Epiq 7G Ultrasound System. Standard 2D- and 3D apical 4-chamber views were recorded and stored for offline analysis. We generated volume-time-curves by 3D volume analysis to derive mean and maximum volumetric flow rates during LA reservoir, conduit and pump phase. Volumetric flow rate index was calculated as the quotient of mean flow rate/maximum flow rate. Results Average MR severity, calculated with the MR Scoring system introduced from Buck et al. and implicated in the ESC Guidelines, was 6.2 points (±2.5) according to Grade I-II. We included 13 patients without MR, 18 with mild MR, 12 patients with moderate MR, 6 patients with severe MR. Left ventricular ejection fraction was similar in the different groups (51,2±12,3%). Maximum and mean flow rate showed no significant correlation with MR severity. Correlation of MR severity with LA dilation (ml/m2 BSA) was r=0.41; p<0.001. Flow rate index showed strong significant correlation with MR severity in left atrial reservoir phase (r=−0.75; p<0.001). There was no statistically relevant difference of volumetric flow rate parameters in left atrial pump and conduit phase. Line chart Conclusions We observed a significant correlation of the volumetric flow rate index to MR severity in the left atrial reservoir phase with stronger correlation than MR severity to left atrial dilation. The results of this work encourage further investigations to establish the presented volumetric flow rate index as a progression marker of MR and to evaluate its prognostic value.

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