Non-invasively estimated left atrial stiffness is associated with short-term recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion

Abstract Background As atrial stiffness (Kla) is an important determinant of cardiac pump function, better mechanical characterization of left atrial (LA) cavity would be clinically relevant. Pulmonary venous ablation is an option for atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment that offers a powerful context for improving our understanding of LA mechanical function. We hypothesized that a relation could be detected between invasive estimation of Kla and new non-invasive deformation parameters and traditional LA and left ventricular (LV) function descriptors, so that Kla can be estimated non-invasively. We also hypothesized that a non-invasive surrogate of Kla would be useful in predicting AF recurrence after cardioversion. Methods In 20 patients undergoing AF ablation, LA pressure–volume curves were derived from invasive pressure and echocardiographic images; Kla was calculated during ascending limb of V-loop as ΔLA pressure/ΔLA volume. 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiographic LA and LV longitudinal strains and volumes, ejection fraction (EF) and ventricular stiffness (Klv), as obtained from mitral deceleration time, were tested as non-invasive Kla predictors. In 128 sinus rhythm patients 1 month after electrical cardioversion for persistent AF, non-invasively estimated Kla (computed-Kla) was tested as predictor of recurrence at 6 months. Results Tertiles of mean LA pressure correlated with increasing Kla (trend, p = 0.06) and decreasing LA peak strain, LVEF, and LV longitudinal strain (p = 0.029, p = 0.019, and p = 0.024). There were no differences in LA and LV volumes and Klv across groups. Multiple regression analysis identified LV longitudinal strain as the only independent predictor of Kla (p = 0.014). Patients in highest quartile of computed-Kla (estimated as [log] = 0.735 + 0.051 × LV strain) tended to have highest AF recurrence rate (25%) as compared with remaining 3 quartiles (9%, 9%, 3%, p = 0.09). Conclusion Kla can be assessed invasively in patients undergoing AF ablation and it can be estimated non-invasively using LV strain. AF recurrence after cardioversion tends to be highest in highest quartile of computed-Kla