Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025
08:10
Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
1.7K
Targeting subclinical ventricular dysfunction in atrial fibrillation: What can myocardial work add?
Elisa Gherbesi1, Luca Bergamaschi2,3, Carmine Pizzi2,3
1Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|May 10, 2024
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause subclinical myocardial dysfunction, affecting left ventricular function. Myocardial work parameters reveal these changes in AF patients compared to healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
- AF can lead to adverse cardiac remodeling and impaired left ventricular (LV) function.
- Subclinical myocardial dysfunction may precede overt heart failure in AF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of AF on myocardial work parameters.
- To identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction in AF patients using myocardial work indices.
- To explore factors associated with altered myocardial work in AF.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a population-based cohort.
- Comparison of myocardial work parameters between AF patients and healthy controls.
- Echocardiographic assessment including myocardial strain and pressure measurements.
- Statistical analysis to identify associated factors.
Main Results:
- Patients with AF exhibited significantly altered myocardial work parameters compared to controls.
- Specific myocardial work indices indicated subclinical myocardial dysfunction in the AF cohort.
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) were associated with altered myocardial work.
Conclusions:
- Atrial fibrillation is associated with subclinical myocardial dysfunction, detectable through myocardial work parameters.
- Myocardial work assessment offers a sensitive tool for evaluating cardiac function in AF.
- Understanding factors like SBP and LAVI is crucial for managing cardiac health in AF patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
1.4K
The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.4K
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
644
Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
644
01:28Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
945
Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
945
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
1.6K
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.6K
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
917
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
917