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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Impact of aortic valve stenosis on left atrial phasic function.
Kim O'Connor1, Julien Magne, Monica Rosca
1Department of Cardiology, Valvular Heart Disease Clinic, University Hospital, CHU Sart Tilman, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|October 6, 2010
Summary
Severe aortic stenosis (AS) significantly impairs all three components of left atrial (LA) function, affecting reservoir, conduit, and active functions. These dysfunctions are linked to left ventricular filling pressures and relaxation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Aortic stenosis (AS) is a significant valvular heart disease.
- Left atrial (LA) function plays a crucial role in diastolic function and overall cardiac health.
- The impact of severe AS on the distinct components of LA function requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of severe aortic stenosis on the reservoir, conduit, and active functions of the left atrium.
- To identify the echocardiographic parameters associated with impaired LA function in patients with AS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 52 patients with severe AS and 20 controls.
- Phasic LA longitudinal function assessed using tissue Doppler imaging, measuring strain and strain rates.
- Mitral annular velocities (systolic, early diastolic Ea, late diastolic Aa) were recorded.
Main Results:
- All measured LA strain values were significantly reduced in patients with severe AS compared to controls.
- LA reservoir dysfunction correlated with mitral E-wave deceleration time and E/Ea ratio (left ventricular filling pressures).
- LA conduit dysfunction was determined by early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Ea) (left ventricular relaxation), and active LA dysfunction by aortic valve area and late diastolic mitral annular velocity (Aa).
Conclusions:
- Severe aortic stenosis adversely affects all three components of left atrial function.
- LA reservoir and conduit dysfunctions are linked to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
- Active LA dysfunction is associated with the severity of AS and impaired late diastolic function.
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