Reduced Left Atrial Rotational Flow Is Independently Associated With Embolic Brain Infarcts

Up to 25% of embolic strokes occur in individuals without atrial fibrillation (AF) or other identifiable mechanisms.

This study aims to assess whether left atrial (LA) blood flow characteristics are associated with embolic brain infarcts, independently of AF.

The authors recruited 134 patients: 44 with a history of ischemic stroke and 90 with no history of stroke but CHA₂DS₂VASc score ≥1. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) evaluated cardiac function and LA 4-dimensional flow parameters, including velocity and vorticity (a measure of rotational flow), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to detect large noncortical or cortical infarcts (LNCCIs) (likely embolic), or nonembolic lacunar infarcts.

Patients (41% female; age 70 ± 9 years) had moderate stroke risk (median CHA₂DS₂VASc = 3, Q1-Q3: 2-4). Sixty-eight (51%) had diagnosed AF, of whom 58 (43%) were in AF during CMR. Thirty-nine (29%) had ≥1 LNCCI, 20 (15%) had ≥1 lacunar infarct without LNCCI, and 75 (56%) had no infarct. Lower LA vorticity was significantly associated with prevalent LNCCIs after adjustment for AF during CMR, history of AF, CHA₂DS₂VASc score, LA emptying fraction, LA indexed maximum volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, and indexed left ventricular mass (OR: 2.06 [95% CI: 1.08-3.92 per SD]; P = 0.027). By contrast, LA flow peak velocity was not significantly associated with LNCCIs (P = 0.21). No LA parameter was associated with lacunar infarcts (all P > 0.05).

Reduced LA flow vorticity is significantly and independently associated with embolic brain infarcts. Imaging LA flow characteristics may aid identification of individuals who would benefit from anticoagulation for embolic stroke prevention, regardless of heart rhythm.