Evaluation of atrial function by 2D strain echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation

Objectives: To evaluate atrial function by 2D strain in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal or slightly increased atrial size and to verify whether lower atrial strain is associated with more frequent AF recurrences. Materials and methods: We studied 50 patients with AF, mean age 59.6 13 years and 50 age-and gender-matched controls. We analyzed left atrial function through 2Dstrain imaging, after the re-establishment of sinus rhythm (SR) and we investigated about the recurrences of the arrhythmia. Results: Atrial strain (AS) was lower in AF patients vs controls (LA p<0.001; RA p<0.001). Lower AS was found in subjects with recurrent AF than in those with first episode of arrhythmia (LA4C p=0.01; LA2C p = 0.05; RA p=0.03). Conclusions: The assessment of atrial function by strain imaging might help to identify patients who need more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Due to the small studied population and the short follow up period our data need to be confirmed by further and wider studies.