Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Clinical and cardiac structural predictors of atrial fibrillation persistence
Aditya Bhat1,2, Henry H L Chen1, Shaun Khanna1
1Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to worse outcomes. Heart failure, larger right atrial size, and reduced left atrial function independently predict persistent AF, suggesting targets for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared to paroxysmal AF.
- Identifying predictors of AF persistence is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine clinical and structural cardiac parameters associated with persistent/permanent AF.
- To investigate factors differentiating persistent AF from paroxysmal AF.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 665 patients with non-valvular AF undergoing transthoracic echocardiography.
- Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic parameters between paroxysmal AF and persistent/permanent AF subtypes.
Main Results:
- Heart failure (OR 3.135), right atrial area ≥18 cm² (OR 2.147), and left atrial emptying fraction ≤34% (OR 2.959) were independent predictors of persistent/permanent AF.
- 70% of patients had paroxysmal AF, while 30% had persistent/permanent AF.
Conclusions:
- Heart failure, enlarged right atrial size, and impaired left atrial function are associated with persistent/permanent AF.
- These markers may help identify patients who could benefit from early interventions to prevent adverse cardiovascular events.
Aims:
The persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with differential clinical outcomes, with studies showing that persistent and permanent AF results in increased morbidity and mortality when compared to the paroxysmal subtype. Given the established prognostic implications of AF subtype, we sought to discern the clinical and structural cardiac parameters associated with persistent/ permanent AF.
Materials And Methods:
Consecutive patients admitted to our institution between January 2013 and January 2018 with a primary diagnosis of non-valvular AF who underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography were retrospectively appraised. Assessment of clinical and echocardiographic parameters was undertaken and compared according to AF subtype.
Results:
Of 1010 patients, 665 (mean age 66.8 ± 13.5 years, 53% men) had comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography on index admission and were included in the primary analysis. The majority of patients (n = 468; 70%) had paroxysmal AF while 197 (30%) had persistent/ permanent AF. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that heart failure (adjusted OR 3.135; 95% CI 2.099 to 4.682, P < .001), right atrial (RA) area ≥18 cm2 (adjusted OR 2.147; 95% CI 1.413 to 3.261, P < .001) and left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF) ≤34% (adjusted OR 2.959; 95% CI 1.991 to 4.398, P < .001) were independent predictors of persistent /permanent AF.
Conclusions:
The presence of heart failure, increased RA size and impaired LA function were associated with persistent/ permanent AF. These clinical and cardiac structural risk markers of AF persistence may identify a target population for early intervention to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

