Non-conventional Echo-Cardiographic Parameters in the Prediction of Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Heart arrhythmias that are most common include atrial fibrillation (AF), which is linked to higher rates of death and morbidity as well as potentially fatal consequences such heart failure and stroke. Consequently, this study was conducted and aimed to test the hypothesis that measurement of PA-TDI and speckle tracking echo enable prediction of occurrence Atrial fibrillation. Patients: We included 90 patients were subdivided into two groups, first group with no history of AF and second group with history of Paroxysmal AF. Complete conventional echocardiography parameters were performed on admission of the patient including (2D, Doppler and Tissue Doppler Image modalities) were acquired in the standard parasternal and apical views and left atrial strain (LA reservoir strain, LA contractile, LA conduit strain) to test the hypothesis of PA-TDI. Results: Our study revealed that the comparison between the two study groups revealed significant variations between two groups regarding the variables of transmitral Doppler inflow. The mean±SD of peak E velocity and peak A velocity of group A was 81.60±7.81 and 55.28±8.47, respectively, whereas that of group B was 89.56±8.79 and 65.89±17.03, respectively which displayed A p-value of 0.006 and 0.003, respectively. LA function is an important emerging entity and carries significant clinical and prognostic implications. That the mean±SD of PA-TDI duration of group A was 127.72±19.69 and it was 148.92±24.60 for group B, with significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Speckle tracking echo and atrial tissue Doppler imaging parameters (PA-TDI) are promising tools to predict an occurrence of atrial fibrillation.

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