Evaluation of Left Atrial and Left Ventricular Function during and between Atrial Fibrillation Episodes by Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography

Abstract

Previous studies assessing left atrium (LA) function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have not simultaneously analyzed left ventricle (LV) function. To evaluate differences in LA and LV volume and function in patients with AF during and between AF episodes compared to healthy subjects by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). Materials and Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients with AF and 30 healthy subjects underwent retrospective electrocardiography-gated DSCT. Thirty of 61 AF patients experienced AF during scan acquisition (AF episode subgroup), and 31 were in sinus rhythm (AF non-episode subgroup). LA and LV functions were analyzed with dedicated software and groups were compared with analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: The maximal LA volumes in healthy subjects, the AF episode subgroup, and the no AF episode subgroup were 94.4±19.9 mL, 121.8±42.4 mL, and 101.4±32.9 mL, respectively (p=0.005). Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV) in healthy subjects, the AF episode subgroup and the no AF episode subgroup were 160.5±34.4 mL, 131.7±37.3 mL, and 138.1±27.6 mL, and respectively (p=0.003). Left ventricular end-systolic volumes were 55.6± 19.4 mL, 65.2±32.4 mL, and 51.0±14.9 mL, respectively (p=0.060). Increased LA volume, decreased LVEDV, and decreased LA and LV systolic function were found during AF episodes. Conclusion: Our data contributes to understanding the mechanism of AF and guides clinical management of patients with AF.