Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

Left atrial dysfunction as a correlate of heart failure symptoms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Monica Roşca1, Bogdan A Popescu, Carmen C Beladan

  • 1Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|August 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), impaired left atrial (LA) function is linked to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The LA’s booster pump function independently predicts heart failure symptoms in HCM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Myocardial function

Background:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a generalized myopathic condition affecting both ventricles and atria.
  • Left atrial (LA) function plays a crucial role in overall cardiac performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate left atrial (LA) function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with HCM.
  • To determine the relationship between LA function, left ventricular (LV) function, and clinical status in HCM.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 37 HCM patients and 37 age/gender-matched controls.
  • Assessment of longitudinal LV strain (ε) and LA ε and strain rate (Sr) parameters (systolic, early diastolic, late diastolic).

Main Results:

  • Significantly reduced peak LAε and LA Sr parameters in HCM patients compared to controls (P ≤ .001).
  • All LA function parameters correlated with LVε in HCM patients (P < .003).
  • Late diastolic strain rate during atrial contraction was the sole independent predictor of symptomatic status.

Conclusions:

  • LA function is significantly diminished in HCM and correlates with LV dysfunction.
  • LA booster pump function is an independent predictor of heart failure symptoms in HCM.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction01:20

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...