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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
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Impaired endothelial function in lone atrial fibrillation.
Marija Polovina1, Tatjana Potpara, Vojislav Giga
1Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. marija_polovina@yahoo.com
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
|December 10, 2013
Summary
Younger patients with lone atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit impaired endothelial function, even without other cardiovascular issues. Sustained AF independently lowers flow-mediated dilation, with longer arrhythmia duration worsening endothelial damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is documented in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with comorbidities or older individuals.
- This study focuses on systemic endothelial function in younger ( < 60 years) lone AF patients without cardiopulmonary comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate systemic endothelial function in younger lone AF patients.
- To compare brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in lone AF patients versus healthy controls in sinus rhythm.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 38 AF patients and 28 healthy controls, matched for age, gender, and risk factors.
- Assessment of brachial artery FMD and endothelium-independent dilation (NMD) using high-resolution ultrasound.
- Standard physical examination, laboratory analysis (including CRP), echocardiography, and exercise-stress testing were performed.
Main Results:
- AF patients showed significantly lower FMD (median 5.0%) compared to controls (median 8.85%).
- No significant differences in NMD were observed between groups.
- Independent determinants of FMD included AF presence, smoking, and total cholesterol; in AF patients, arrhythmia duration was the strongest predictor.
Conclusions:
- Sustained AF is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction, even in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
- AF is an independent contributor to reduced FMD.
- Prolonged AF arrhythmia duration may increase the risk of more severe endothelial damage.
