[Left ventricle function after the reversion of atrial fibrillation]

Atrial fibrillation could be a consequence of heart failure as well as arrhythmia may cause deterioration of left ventricle systolic function. There are also studies suggested that atrial fibrillation promote left ventricle diastolic dysfunction.

Assessment of left ventricle diastolic function in patients with sustained sinus rhythm during six months observation after reversion of atrial fibrillation.

The study group comprised 30 patients, which had stabilized sinus rhythm at least six months after successful reversion of atrial fibrillation. Transthoracical and transesophageal echocardiography in all patients was performed during atrial fibrillation, immediately after reversion of arrhythmia and after six months observation without reoccurrence of atrial fibrillation. The transthoracical echocardiographic parameters characterising left ventricle diastolic function was measured: E ampl LV, E acct LV, E dcct LV, E time LV, E intg LV. Consequently TEE was performed with Doppler probe in left superior pulmonary vein and following parameters were recorded: PVD, PVD intg, PVD dcct.

The E ampl LV immediately after sinus rhythm restoration significantly decreased and was similar to values recorded during atrial fibrillation. After six months observation further significant decreasing of this parameter was noted. The E intg LV was markedly smaller after arrhythmia reversion and did not changed during six months period of sustained sinus rhythm. The E acct LV remained almost the same in all points of study. Whereas the E dcct LV and E time LV were only slightly longer just after reversion the values recorded after six months observation were significantly greater compared to both values before and immediately after sinus rhythm restoration. PVD and PVD intg increased just after sinus rhythm restoration but not significantly. During six months observation their values markedly decreased compared to measurements during atrial fibrillation and were slightly smaller than at first hour of sinus rhythm. PVD dcct insignificantly decreased just after sinus rhythm restoration. Stabilization of sinus rhythm for six months has allowed for significant increasing of this parameter.

Left ventricle diastolic parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation do not significantly change immediately after sinus rhythm restoration. Maximal mitral early diastolic flow velocity and maximal diastolic flow velocity in pulmonary veins markedly decrease at six months observation after reversion of atrial fibrillation, whereas both deceleration time of early diastolic mitral flow and deceleration time of diastolic pulmonary flow became longer and than this indices don't differ from control group without arrhythmia in anamnesis.