01 September 2004
The association of chronic atrial fibrillation with right atrial dilatation and left ventricular dysfunction in the elderly
Han B. Xiao, Syed A.H. Rizvi, Daniel McCrea, Brian KaufmanMed Sci Monit 2004; 10(9): CR516-520 :: ID: 11753
Abstract
Background:Left atrial dilatation is often considered as one of the important causes for atrial fibrillation. In this study we sought to examine the relationship between right atrial dilatation and left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation, and the association with the documented duration of the dysrrhythmia.Material/Methods:56 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation were investigated by means of clinical history, electrocardiography and echocardiography.Results:Right atrial dilatation was found in 34, left atrial dilatation in 36 and bi-atrial dilatation in 31 patients. Patients with a dilated right atrium had a larger left atrium, lower left ventricular shortening fraction, and higher transmitral flow velocity than those with a normal right atrium. A history of atrial fibrillation of over 6 months was associated with enlarged atria, reduced left ventricular shortening fraction and increased transmitral flow compared to that of 3 months or less. Functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were only found in patients whose atrial fibrillation was over 6 months in duration.Conclusions:Dilatation of both right and left atria is common in chronic atrial fibrillation, and is associated with impaired left ventricular function. A longer duration of atrial fibrillation predisposes to atrial dilatation, left ventricular dysfunction, and functional atrio-ventricular regurgitation. These findings suggest that atrial fibrillation may have a significant contribution to morphological and functional cardiac changes, and raise the possibilities that early cardioversion or adequate rate control might prevent these changes and may improve prognosis in the elderly.
Keywords: Aged, 80 and over, Atrial Fibrillation, Dilatation, Pathologic, Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed, Electrocardiography, Heart Atria - pathology, Heart Atria - physiopathology, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left, Aged, 80 and over, Atrial Fibrillation, Dilatation, Pathologic, Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed, Electrocardiography, Heart Atria - physiopathology, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952