LA Mechanics in Decompensated Heart Failure: Insights From Strain Echocardiography With Invasive Hemodynamics

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of congestion and decongestive therapy on left atrial (LA) mechanics and to determine the relationship between LA improvement after decongestive therapy and clinical outcome in immediate or chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

LA mechanics are affected by volume/pressure overload in decompensated HFrEF.

A total of 31 patients with HFrEF and immediate heart failure (age 64 ± 15 years, 74% male, left ventricular ejection fraction 20 ± 12%) underwent serial echocardiography during decongestive therapy with simultaneous hemodynamic monitoring. LA function was assessed by strain (rate) imaging. Patients were re-evaluated 6 weeks after discharge and prospectively followed up for the composite endpoint of heart failure readmission and all-cause mortality.

LA reservoir function was markedly reduced at baseline and improved with decongestion (peak atrial longitudinal strain from 6.4 ± 2.2% to 8.8 ± 3.0% and strain rate from 0.29 ± 0.11 s^-1 to 0.38 ± 0.13 s^-1), independent of changes in left ventricular global longitudinal strain, LA end-diastolic volume, and mitral regurgitation severity (p < 0.001). Both measures continued to rise at 6 weeks (up to 13.4 ± 6.1% and 0.50 ± 0.19 s^-1, respectively; p < 0.001). LA pump strain rate only increased 6 weeks after discharge (-0.25 ± 0.12 s^-1 to -0.55 ± 0.29 s^-1; p < 0.010). Changes in LA mechanics correlated with changes in wedge pressure (r = -0.61; p < 0.001). Lower peak atrial longitudinal strain values after decongestion were associated with increased risk for the composite endpoint of heart failure and mortality (p < 0.019).

LA reservoir and booster function, while severely impaired during immediate decompensation, significantly improve during and after decongestive therapy. Poor LA reservoir function after decongestion is associated with worse outcome.