Changes in left atrial functional indexes in ischemic stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Increased left atrial (LA) size is a known predictor of cardiovascular events, including stroke.
• LA dysfunction can manifest independently of LA size.
• The relationship between stroke and LA functional changes remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between acute ischemic stroke and left atrial (LA) function.
• To evaluate the utility of vector velocity imaging (VVI) in assessing LA contractile characteristics in stroke patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of acute ischemic stroke patients and healthy controls, excluding those with significant cardiac arrhythmia or heart failure.
• Echocardiography examination including conventional parameters and vector velocity imaging (VVI) for LA and left ventricle contractile analysis.
• Comparison of mitral inflow velocities, LA volumes, and emptying function between stroke patients and controls.

Main Results:

• Stroke patients exhibited lower mitral inflow E-wave and higher A-wave velocities compared to controls.
• Active emptying percent of total LA emptying was significantly higher in stroke patients.
• Diastolic emptying index of the LA was significantly lower in stroke patients, despite no difference in maximal LA volume.

Conclusions:

• Acute ischemic stroke is associated with distinct alterations in mitral inflow velocities and LA emptying function.
• Vector velocity imaging (VVI) provides a convenient method for quantitative assessment of LA volumes and function.
• LA functional changes may precede or occur without significant structural changes, warranting further investigation into the clinical implications of LA functional indexes.