The relationship between atrial electromechanical delay and left atrial mechanical function in stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) reflects atrial electrical and mechanical function.
• Impaired atrial function is implicated in various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
• Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a valuable echocardiographic tool for assessing EMD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) and left atrial (LA) mechanical function in ischemic stroke patients.
• To compare EMD and LA mechanical function between patients with ischemic stroke and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 30 ischemic stroke patients and 35 healthy controls.
• EMD was measured using TDI, assessing inter- and intra-atrial delays.
• Left atrial volumes and mechanical function parameters were calculated using the biplane area-length method.

Main Results:

• Ischemic stroke patients exhibited significantly increased left atrial EMD, right atrial EMD, and interatrial EMD compared to controls.
• While active and passive LA emptying functions were similar, total LA emptying volumes were significantly increased in stroke patients.
• These findings suggest altered atrial electromechanical coupling in ischemic stroke.

Conclusions:

• Interatrial electromechanical delay is significantly prolonged in patients with ischemic stroke.
• Interatrial EMD may represent a novel and valuable predictor for identifying individuals at risk of ischemic stroke.