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Updated: May 1, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Disturbed Left Atrial Function is Associated with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertension
Erhan Tenekecioglu1, Fahriye Vatansever Agca1, Ozlem Arican Ozluk1
1Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Resarch Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
Insights
Hypertension increases left atrial volume and impairs active emptying function, raising the risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). A longer duration of hypertension is also linked to PAF in patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Hypertension is a primary modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation.
- Left atrial pressure overload causes changes in contractile and electrical properties, leading to atrial fibrillation.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for preventing and managing atrial fibrillation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate left atrial function in hypertensive patients.
- To determine the association between left atrial function and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
Main Methods:
- Studied 57 hypertensive patients (30 with PAF, 30 controls).
- Measured left atrial volumes (LAVmax, LAVpreA, LAVmin) using the modified Simpson's biplane method.
- Calculated various left atrial emptying functions and emptying fractions.
Main Results:
- Hypertensive patients with PAF had a longer duration of hypertension.
- Maximal left atrial volume (LAVmax) was significantly increased in hypertensive patients with PAF.
- Left atrial active emptying function (LAAEF) and A' wave were significantly decreased in hypertensive patients with PAF.
Conclusions:
- Increased left atrial volume and impaired active emptying function are associated with PAF in hypertensive patients.
- A longer hypertensive period is a significant risk factor for developing PAF.
Background:
Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The pressure overload in the left atrium induces pathophysiological changes leading to alterations in contractile function and electrical properties.
Objective:
In this study our aim was to assess left atrial function in hypertensive patients to determine the association between left atrial function with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
Method:
We studied 57 hypertensive patients (age: 53 ± 4 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 76 ± 6.7%), including 30 consecutive patients with PAF and 30 age-matched control subjects. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured using the modified Simpson's biplane method. Three types of LA volume were determined: maximal LA(LAVmax), preatrial contraction LA(LAVpreA) and minimal LA volume(LAVmin). LA emptying functions were calculated. LA total emptying volume = LAVmax-LAVmin and the LA total EF = (LAVmax-LAVmin )/LAVmax, LA passive emptying volume = LAVmax- LAVpreA and the LA passive EF = (LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax, LA active emptying volume = LAVpreA-LAVmin and LA active EF = (LAVpreA-LAVmin )/LAVpreA.
Results:
The hypertensive period is longer in hypertensive group with PAF. LAVmax significantly increased in hypertensive group with PAF when compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.010). LAAEF was significantly decreased in hypertensive group with PAF as compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.020). A' was decreased in the hypertensive group with PAF when compared to those without PAF (p = 0.044).
Conclusion:
Increased LA volume and impaired LA active emptying function was associated with PAF in untreated hypertensive patients. Longer hypertensive period is associated with PAF.
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