Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025
Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Arterial Stiffness and Markers of Atrial Myopathy
Magdalena Okrajni1, Pyotr Platonov2, Iram Faqir Muhammad1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
Insights
Arterial stiffness, measured by c-f PWV and Aix75, was linked to fewer premature atrial complexes (PACs). However, no association was found between arterial stiffness and P-wave indices, suggesting a complex relationship with atrial myopathy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Arterial stiffness, assessed via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and heart rate-corrected augmentation index (Aix75), is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor.
- Previous studies suggest a link between arterial stiffness and incident atrial fibrillation (AF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and markers of atrial myopathy.
- To determine if arterial stiffness correlates with structural and electrical atrial changes indicative of AF risk.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1050 participants from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study.
- Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and Aix75 measured in all participants.
- Echocardiography performed on a subsample (n=331) to assess P-wave duration, left atrial volume index (LAVi), P-wave terminal force in V1 (PWTFV1), and P-wave axis.
- Multivariable regression models used to analyze associations between arterial stiffness and atrial myopathy markers, including premature atrial complexes (PACs).
Main Results:
- Increased arterial stiffness (per 1 m/s c-f PWV increase) was associated with significantly fewer PACs (IRR 0.45).
- Increased Aix75 was also associated with fewer PACs (IRR 0.66).
- No significant association was found between arterial stiffness and P-wave duration or abnormal PWTFV1.
Conclusions:
- Arterial stiffness, measured by c-f PWV or Aix75, is associated with a reduced number of PACs.
- No association was observed between arterial stiffness and P-wave indices, indicating a complex relationship.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the link between arterial stiffness and atrial myopathy.
Background:
Arterial stiffness, measured using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) and heart rate-corrected augmentation index (Aix75), is associated with cardiovascular disease, and in some studies incident atrial fibrillation (AF). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate whether arterial stiffness is associated with markers of atrial myopathy, which refers to structural and electrical changes in the atria that indicate increased AF risk.
Methods:
We included 1050 participants (age 57 ± 4.3 years, 47% males) from the population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study with c-f PWV and Aix75 data. A random subsample (n = 331) underwent echocardiography. The association between arterial stiffness and atrial myopathy markers was studied using multivariable-adjusted negative binomial regression models for premature atrial complexes (PACs) on 24 h ECG, linear regression for P-wave duration and left atrial volume index (LAVi), and logistic regression models for abnormal P-wave terminal force in V1 (PWTFV1) and P-wave axis.
Results:
Arterial stiffness was associated with fewer PACs: incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.45 (95% CI: 0.31 to 0.65, p < 0.001) per 1 m/s increase in c-f PWV and IRR 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49 to 0.89, p = 0.01) per % increase in Aix75. There was no association between arterial stiffness and P-wave indices, OR 1.09 (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.40), p = 0.50 for abnormal PWTFV1, and β -0.003 (-0.10 to 0.09), p = 0.95 for P-wave duration, both per 1 m/s increase in c-f PWV.
Conclusions:
Arterial stiffness, measured as either c-f PWV or Aix75, was associated with fewer PACs, whereas no association was found with P-wave indices. The association between arterial stiffness and atrial myopathy is complex and merits further study.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:16Pulse
The pulse serves as a clinical...
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias