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Relationship between atrial septal aneurysms and atrial electromechanical delay
Sercan Okutucu1, Banu Evranos, Kudret Aytemir
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sıhhiye/Ankara, Turkey. sercanokutucu@yahoo.com
The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
|September 16, 2010
Summary
Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is linked to prolonged atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD), indicating a higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias. AEMD is a valuable, non-invasive tool for assessing this risk in ASA patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is a cardiac deformity associated with increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias.
- Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) is a recognized indicator for evaluating the development of atrial arrhythmias.
- Understanding the relationship between ASA, arrhythmias, and AEMD is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and cardiac arrhythmias.
- To evaluate the role of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) in patients with ASA.
- To determine if AEMD can predict arrhythmia risk in individuals with ASA.
Main Methods:
- Seventy patients with ASA and 70 healthy controls underwent transthoracic echocardiography.
- ASA diagnosis was based on specific criteria for base and excursion.
- Inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delays were measured using tissue Doppler imaging.
Main Results:
- Patients with ASA exhibited significantly higher inter-AEMD and intra-left AEMD compared to controls.
- A subgroup of ASA patients with arrhythmias showed further significant increases in AEMD parameters and P wave dispersion.
- The diameter of the ASA was also significantly larger in patients with arrhythmias.
Conclusions:
- Atrial electromechanical delay is significantly prolonged in patients with atrial septal aneurysm.
- AEMD serves as a non-invasive, cost-effective method for assessing paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmia risk in ASA patients.
- AEMD measurements can contribute to better risk stratification and management strategies for individuals with ASA.
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