Vol 25, No 1 (2018)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Published online: 2017-06-12

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The value of left atrial strain and strain rate in predicting left atrial appendage stasis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

Meng-Ruo Zhu, Man Wang, Xin-Xin Ma, Dong-Yan Zheng, Yue-Li Zhang
Pubmed: 28612903
Cardiol J 2018;25(1):87-96.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the value of left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate (S/SR) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in predicting left atrial appendage (LAA) stasis, in order to find a way for LAA stasis screening which is easily performed in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods: One hundred and thirty NVAF patients prepared for AF ablation were enrolled. TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed in all patients. LA S/SR in each phase was analyzed off-line. LAA blood flow state and LAA function were assessed by using TEE.

Results: LA S/SRs during atrial reservoir phase (LA Sres/SRres) were significantly negatively cor­related with LAA spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) grade (r = −0.567 and −0.520, respectively; all p < 0.01), and positively correlated with LAA emptying fraction (r = 0.602 and 0.619, respectively; all p < 0.01) and with LAA peak emptying flow velocity (r = 0.623 and 0.642, respectively; all p < 0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed LA Sres to be the strongest independent predictor of LAA stasis, followed by LA volume index. LA Sres < 13% was recommended to predict LAA stasis with sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 74%.

Conclusions: LA Sres by TTE can noninvasively predict LAA stasis and may be used as a screening tool to assist in the detection of LAA stasis in patients with NVAF. (Cardiol J 2018; 25, 1: 87–96)

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