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The association between atrium electromechanical interval and pericardial fat
Tze-Fan Chao1, Yau-Huei Lai2, Chun-Ho Yun3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Plos One
|May 21, 2014
Summary
Increased pericardial fat (PCF) is linked to longer atrial electromechanical intervals (PA-PDI). This echocardiogram measurement may help quantify PCF-related atrial remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Atrial Electrophysiology
Background:
- Pericardial fat (PCF) can cause inflammation and structural changes in the left atrium (LA).
- Quantifying PCF's adverse effects on the LA is challenging.
- Atrial electromechanical intervals, measurable by echocardiography, may reflect LA remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between atrial electromechanical intervals and the amount of pericardial fat.
- To determine if atrial electromechanical intervals can serve as a marker for PCF-related atrial remodeling.
Main Methods:
- 337 patients underwent measurement of the PA-PDI interval (P wave to mitral A wave) via Doppler echocardiography.
- Pericardial fat (PCF) volume was quantified using multi-detector computed tomography.
- Statistical correlation and ROC curve analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between PA-PDI interval duration and PCF amount (r=0.641, p<0.001).
- Longer PA-PDI intervals were observed with increasing tertiles of PCF.
- The PA-PDI interval showed good predictive value (AUC=0.796) for high PCF levels.
Conclusions:
- Longer PA-PDI intervals are associated with increased pericardial fat.
- The PA-PDI interval may be a valuable, non-invasive parameter for assessing PCF-related atrial remodeling.