The Correlation between Left Atrial Longitudinal Strain and Atrial
Fibrillation in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the correlation between left atrial (LA)
longitudinal strain and occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in
patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: 100 patients with
DCM were evaluated. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography
were done to evaluate LA diameters, volumes and longitudinal strain.
Results: Left atrial dimensions and volumes were significantly greater
in AF group. LA longitudinal strain and LA emptying fraction were
significantly lower in AF group. LA longitudinal strain and LA minimal
volume are independent predictors for AF presence. ROC curve showed that
LA longitudinal strain cut-off value <11.1% can predict the
presence of AF in DCM patients with 96% sensitivity and 95.3%
specificity (AUC 0.982, 95% CI 0.959–1.0, P < 0.001)
Conclusion: Left atrial longitudinal strain was significantly reduced in
AF in the setting of DCM. LA longitudinal strain and LAVmin are
independent predictors for AF occurrence in this group of patients with
LA strain values <11.1% can be used to predict AF in DCM.