Association of LAAWV values with the LVEF
Dysfunction in left ventricular (LV) systolic and/or diastolic function
impacts the contractility of the left atrial appendage (LAA), primarily
influencing LAA filling pressures. Additionally, impaired LV relaxation
is associated with a simultaneous decline in both mitral inflow E waves
and LAA early diastolic flow. Takahide Ito et al. demonstrated the
significance of LAA function parameters as predictors of clinical
outcomes in patients with ischemic or non-ischemic dilated
cardiomyopathy. Patients with lower LAA emptying velocity experienced
higher cardiac mortality compared to those with higher LAA emptying
velocity. Similarly, our study also found that LAAW velocities were
significantly reduced in patients with low left ventricular ejection
fraction. We observed a linear correlation between LAAW velocity and
LVEF, where lower LAAW velocity was associated with lower left
ventricular ejection fraction. However, interestingly, we observed a
closer correlation between LAAW velocity and LVEF in patients with
non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy compared to those with ischemic
cardiomyopathy. These differing correlations may indicate variations in
the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology of the two conditions.