Background
Abnormal P-terminal force in V1 (PTFV1) is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) and death.
Objective
Our goal was to explore associations of left ventricular (LV) diffuse fibrosis with left atrium (LA) function and ECG measures of LA electrical activity.
Methods
AF-free patients (n=91, mean age 59.5, 61.5% men, 65.9% Caucasian) with structural heart disease (wide spatial QRS-T angle≥105° ± Selvester QRS score≥5 on ECG) but LV ejection fraction >35% underwent clinical evaluation, cardiac magnetic resonance and resting ECG. LA function indices were obtained by multimodality tissue tracking using 2 and 4-chamber long-axis images. T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement were used to assess diffuse LV fibrosis and presence of scar. P-prime in V1 amplitude (PPaV1) and duration (PPdV1), averaged P-duration, PR interval and P-axis were automatically measured using 12SL TM algorithm. PTFV1 was calculated as product of PPaV1 by PPdV1.
Results
In linear regression after adjustment for demographic, body mass index, LA volumemax index, presence of scar and LV mass index, each decile increase in LV interstitial fibrosis was associated with 0.76mV*ms increase in negative abnormal PTFV1 [(95%CI −1.42 to −0.09), P=0.025], 15.3ms prolongation in PPdV1 [(95%CI 6.9 to 23.8), P=0.001], and 5.4ms widening in averaged P-duration [(95%CI 0.9 to 10.0), P=0.020]. LV fibrosis did not affect LA function. PPaV1 and PTFV1 were associated with an increase in LA volumes, decrease in LAEF and LA reservoir function.
Conclusion
LV interstitial fibrosis is associated with abnormal PTFV1, prolonged PPdV1 and P-duration, but does not affect LA function.