Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
08:10
Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
1.8K
Left atrial dysfunction may precede left atrial enlargement and abnormal left ventricular longitudinal function: a
Di Zhou1, Wenjing Yang1, Yingxia Yang1,2
1Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fuwai Hospital and National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing, 100037, China.
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Left atrial (LA) dysfunction, measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) strain, is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertension (HTN). This LA strain is more sensitive than LV longitudinal strain for predicting adverse clinical events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Left atrial (LA) dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a factor in cardiovascular disease development.
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) allows for detailed assessment of cardiac mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the impact of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertension (HTN) on LA function in patients without LA enlargement using CMR-FT.
- To explore the capability of LA function metrics in predicting clinical outcomes in the early stages of cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 60 HCM patients, 60 HTN patients (normal LA size), and 60 controls using CMR.
- Quantification of LA and left ventricular (LV) functions via volumetric and CMR-FT strain analysis.
- Primary endpoint: composite of all-cause death, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and atrial fibrillation.
Main Results:
- Both HTN and HCM groups exhibited impaired LA reservoir (εs) and conduit (εe) functions compared to controls.
- LA strain parameters (εs, εe, εa) were more sensitive than LV longitudinal strain (GLS) in evaluating the primary endpoint.
- Impaired LA reservoir and booster pump strain were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes over a 6.8-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- CMR-FT-derived LA strain is a robust tool for assessing LA mechanics and dynamics in early-stage HTN and HCM.
- LA dysfunction is a promising metric for assessing clinical implications and predicting prognosis, outperforming GLS.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
71
Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
71
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
40
Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
40
01:23Mitral Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
67
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a valvular heart disorder in which the mitral valve fails to close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward into the heart. Understanding the clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic findings, and medical management of MR is crucial to effectively managing affected patients.Clinical Manifestations of Mitral RegurgitationMitral regurgitation can be acute or chronic, each presenting differently and requiring different approaches:1. Acute Mitral...
67
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
75
Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
75
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
65
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
65
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
78
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
78