The role of atrial myocardial deformation parameters in determining cardioversion success in atrial fibrillation patients

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the role of left atrial myocardial deformation parameters measured by speckle tracking method in predicting cardioversion success in addition to conventional echocardiographic measurements in cardioversion (CV) planned patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Material and Methods: 60 patients scheduled for cardioversion were evaluated and 40 patients with atrial fibrillation were included in the study. Patients with sinus rhythm continuing after 24 hour monitoring were classified as group 1, and patients with AF were classified as group 2. Group 1 patients are divided into 2 groups according to 1st month ECG, as sinus rhythm maintained group and AF detected group. Results: The global left atrial strain S (LA S-S) and the global left atrial strain rate S (LA SR-S) measured before and after cardioversion were found to be significantly lower in the group with failed cardioversion (group 2) than those with successful group (group 1). The predictive value of LAVI value in cardioversion success was found to be 39 mL/m(2). At first month; LA SR-S measured before and after cardioversion in the maintained sinus rhythm group was significantly higher than the atrial fibrillation recurrence group. Also; the LA S-S, measured after cardioversion, was found to be significantly higher in the maintained sinus rhythm group. Conclusion: We showed that atrial myocardial deformation parameters could play role in determining CV success in patients with persistant atrial fibrillation. In addition; we determined that the LA SR-S value was as sensitive and specific parameter as LAVI in predicting cardioversion success.