BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to explore the association between the left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendages (LAA) systole strain rate (SSR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to provide evidence to aid in the assessment of disease progression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 180 patients with AF were selected for the study (130 patients with paroxysmal AF (Par AF) and 50 patients with persistence AF (PerAF).In addition, 60 healthy individuals were selected as a control group. The total and side wall SSRs were calculated.

RESULTS: The total SSR in the control group was higher than in the ParAF and PerAF groups (2.87±0.45 vs. 2.15±0.56 vs. 1.92±0.62 and 6.24±1.61 vs. 4.45±1.42 vs. 3.66±1.55). The total SSR of LAA was correlated with that of LA in the AF patient groups and the control group; the correlation coefficients were 0.720, 0.563, and 0.421. However, the ratio of total SSR of LAA to that of LA was not significant statistically different among the three groups (2.24±0.41 vs. 2.35±0.58 vs. 2.03±0.56). The posterior wall had the lowest SSRs in the control group and ParAF group.

CONCLUSIONS: The SSRs of AF patients were lower than that of healthy individuals, and the degree was associated with disease progression. The SSR was different in different side walls, and gradually shorten with disease progression.

Keywords: Atrial Appendage, Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Function, Left