1
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Alam AB, Toledo‐Atucha E, Romaguera D, Alonso‐Gómez AM, Martínez‐Gonzalez MA, Tojal‐Sierra L, Mora MN, Mas‐Llado C, Li L, Gonzalez‐Casanova I, Salas‐Salvadó J, Fitó M, Alonso A. Associations of Alcohol Consumption With Left Atrial Morphology and Function in a Population at High Cardiovascular Risk. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e031915. [PMID: 38533958 PMCID: PMC11179787 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. An enlarged left atrium and impaired left atrial function may lead to atrial fibrillation. The association of alcohol consumption with structural and functional left atrial measures, however, has received limited attention. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 503 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial, a randomized trial testing intensive weight loss intervention with an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet and physical activity promotion in preventing cardiovascular disease in adults with metabolic syndrome. Participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography at baseline, year 3, and year 5 of the study. Outcomes of interest included volume index and reservoir, conduit, and contractile strains of the left atrium. Alcohol consumption was calculated through food frequency questionnaires and presented as drinks consumed per day. Multiple linear regression and mixed models estimated the association of alcohol consumption with left atrial measurements at baseline and through follow-up. Cross-sectionally, higher alcohol consumption (per 1 drink/day increases) was associated with larger left atrial volume (0.65 mL/m2 [95% CI, 0.18-1.11]) and lower left atrial reservoir and contractile strain (-0.44% [95% CI, -0.87 to -0.01]; and -0.44% [95% CI, -0.75 to -0.14]). Baseline alcohol consumption was not associated with changes in left atrial measurements, but increases in alcohol consumption (per 1 drink/day increase) during follow-up were associated with left atrial enlargement (0.71 mL/m2 [95% CI, 0.17-1.26]). CONCLUSIONS In a population at high cardiovascular risk, increased alcohol consumption was associated with left atrial enlargement and worsening atrial function. REGISTRATION URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com; Unique identifier: ISRCTN89898870.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniqa B. Alam
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Estefania Toledo‐Atucha
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Navarra’s Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Navarra Institute for Health ResearchPamplonaSpain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Dora Romaguera
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Palma de MallorcaSpain
| | - Angel M. Alonso‐Gómez
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHUVitoria‐GasteizSpain
| | - Miguel A. Martínez‐Gonzalez
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Navarra’s Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Navarra Institute for Health ResearchPamplonaSpain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Lucas Tojal‐Sierra
- Navarra’s Health Research Institute (IdiSNA), Navarra Institute for Health ResearchPamplonaSpain
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHUVitoria‐GasteizSpain
| | - Marta Noris Mora
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Palma de MallorcaSpain
- Department of CardiologyHospital Universitari Son EspasesPalmaSpain
| | - Caterina Mas‐Llado
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Palma de MallorcaSpain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital de ManacorManacorSpain
- Facultad de MedicinaUniversitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)PalmaSpain
| | - Linzi Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Ines Gonzalez‐Casanova
- Department of Applied Health ScienceIndiana University‐Bloomington, School of Public HealthBloomingtonIndianaUSA
| | - Jordi Salas‐Salvadó
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Biochemistry and BiotechnologyRovira i Virigili UniversityReusSpain
- Human Nutrition Unit, Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV)ReusSpain
| | - Montserrat Fitó
- CIBER Consortium, M.P. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)MadridSpain
- Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Alvaro Alonso
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
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2
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Dong XJ, Wang BB, Jiao Y, Hou FF, Zhang XQ. Global, regional and national burden of alcohol cardiomyopathy from Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:499-511. [PMID: 36786978 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03204-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to provide up-to-date and comprehensive estimates on the global alcohol cardiomyopathy (ACM) from 1990 to 2019. Detailed data on the prevalence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), deaths,percentage change in the number of cases and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of ACM worldwide from 1990 to 2019 were obtained or calculated from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. Globally, the estimated prevalent cases of ACM in 2019 were 707,652 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 545,182-924,392], with a 35.4% (28.2-44.2) increase from 522,616 (95% UI: 394,118-683,206) in 1990, while the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was slightly decreased with an overall EAPC of - 1.30 (- 1.38 - - 1.22). Similar to ASPR, the global age-standardized DALYs rate and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) also declined, with an EAPC of - 1.12(- 2.09 - - 0.14) and - 1.53(- 2.36 - - 0.70) from 1990 to 2019, respectively. Conversely, the number of ACM-related DALYs cases in 2019 was 2,441,108 (95% UI: 2,046,734-2,782,542), with an increase of 38.8%(2.8-59.9) over the past 30 years, and the number of ACM-related deaths in 2019 was 71,723 (95% UI: 60,167-81,995), with an increase of 33.1% (0.5- 51.9) compared with 1990. A significant variation in the burden of ACM was observed between different regions and countries. Although the ASPR, age-standardized DALYs rate and ASDR slightly decreased from 1990 to 2019, the absolute number of prevalent cases, DALYs cases and deaths significantly increased. This showed that the burden of ACM remains an important global public health concern. Public health policy and decision-makers should develop and implement more effective strategies specific to geographical location to combat and reduce the burden of ACM in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Jiang Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Bei-Bei Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Jinzhong, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xian, China
| | - Fei-Fei Hou
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhehaote, China
| | - Xiao-Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Taiyuan Army Plastic Surgery Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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3
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Kalayci A, Kocabay G, Karabay C. Re: Left Ventricular Strain and Rotation by 2-D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Identify Early Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2018; 44:292. [PMID: 29033096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Arzu Kalayci
- Clinic of Cardiology, Kartal Kosuyolu Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gonenc Kocabay
- Clinic of Cardiology, Kartal Kosuyolu Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Can Karabay
- Clinic of Cardiology, Kartal Kosuyolu Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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4
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Degiovanni A, Boggio E, Prenna E, Sartori C, De Vecchi F, Marino PN. Association between left atrial phasic conduit function and early atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients undergoing electrical cardioversion. Clin Res Cardiol 2017; 107:329-337. [PMID: 29181725 PMCID: PMC5869942 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-017-1188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Diastolic dysfunction promotes atrial fibrillation (AF) inducing left atrial (LA) remodeling, with chamber dilation and fibrosis. Predominance of LA phasic conduit (LAC) function should reflect not only chamber alterations but also underlying left ventricular (LV) filling impairment. Thus, LAC was tested as possible predictor of early AF relapse after electrical cardioversion (EC). Methods 96 consecutive patients, who underwent EC for persistent non-valvular AF, were prospectively enrolled. Immediately after successful EC (3 h ± 15 min), an echocardiographic apical four-chamber view was acquired with transmitral velocities, annular tissue Doppler and simultaneous LV and LA three-dimensional full-volume datasets. Then, from LA–LV volumetric curves we computed LAC as: [(LV maximum − LV minimum) − (LA maximum − LA minimum) volume], expressed as % LV stroke volume. LA pump, immediately post-EC, was assumed and verified as being negligible. Sinus rhythm persistence at 1 month was checked with ECG-Holter monitoring. Results At 1 month 62 patients were in sinus rhythm and 34 in AF. AF patients presented pre-EC higher E/é values (p = 0.012), no major LA volume differences (p = NS), but a stiffer LV cavity (p = 0.012) for a comparable LV capacitance (p = 0.461). Conduit contributed more (p < 0.001) to LV stroke volume in AF subpopulation. Multiple regression revealed LAC as the most significant AF predictor (p = 0.013), even after correction for biometric characteristics and pharmacotherapy (p = 0.008). Conclusion Our data suggest that LAC larger contribution to LV filling soon after EC reflects LA–LV stiffening, which skews atrioventricular interaction leading to AF perpetuation and makes conduit dominance a powerful predictor of early AF recurrence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00392-017-1188-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Degiovanni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Enrico Boggio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Eleonora Prenna
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Sartori
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica De Vecchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo N Marino
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Cardiology, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Corso Mazzini 18, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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5
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Normal Ranges of Left Atrial Strain by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:59-70.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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6
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Hung CL, Gonçalves A, Lai YJ, Lai YH, Sung KT, Lo CI, Liu CC, Kuo JY, Hou CJY, Chao TF, Bulwer BE, Lin SJ, Yeh HI, Lam CSP. Light to Moderate Habitual Alcohol Consumption Is Associated with Subclinical Ventricular and Left Atrial Mechanical Dysfunction in an Asymptomatic Population: Dose-Response and Propensity Analysis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2016; 29:1043-1051.e4. [PMID: 27639812 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of light to moderate alcohol consumption on cardiac mechanics remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function using myocardial deformation. METHODS In total 3,946 asymptomatic participants (mean age, 49.7 ± 10.7 years; 65% men) were consecutively studied using comprehensive echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking in a cross-sectional, retrospective manner. Global LV longitudinal and circumferential strain and LA strain were assessed and related to habitual alcohol consumption pattern (fewer than one, one to six, or more than six drinks per week) before and after propensity matching. RESULTS With increasing weekly alcohol consumption, participants displayed greater LV eccentric remodeling, impaired diastolic function, and more attenuated global longitudinal strain, LA strain (adjusted coefficients, -1.07 [95% CI, -1.95 to -0.19] and -3.73 [95% CI, -5.36 to -2.11]), and early diastolic strain rates (adjusted coefficients, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.03-0.11] and 0.33 [95% CI, 0.24-0.42]) for one to six and more than six drinks per week, respectively (P < .05 for all) in a dose-response manner. Participants with recent alcohol abstinence displayed cardiac mechanics intermediate between those of nondrinkers and current drinkers. After propensity matching (n = 1,140), participants currently consuming more than one drink per week continued to have significantly attenuated global longitudinal strain and all LA mechanics compared with those consuming fewer than one drink per week (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Habitual alcohol consumption, even at light to moderate doses, is associated with both reduced LV and LA mechanics in a dose-dependent manner. Whether such observations are reversible or related to future atrial fibrillation deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Lieh Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Alexandra Gonçalves
- University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yu-Jun Lai
- Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Huei Lai
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Tzu Sung
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-In Lo
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Chuan Liu
- Health Evaluation Center, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Health Care Organization Administration, College of Public Health National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Technology, Yuanpei University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Yuan Kuo
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Charles Jia-Yin Hou
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tze-Fan Chao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Shing-Jong Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-I Yeh
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Carolyn S P Lam
- National Heart Centre Singapore and Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Khurram IM, Maqbool F, Berger RD, Marine JE, Spragg DD, Ashikaga H, Zipunnikov V, Kass DA, Calkins H, Nazarian S, Zimmerman SL. Association Between Left Atrial Stiffness Index and Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Ablation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2016; 9:CIRCEP.115.003163. [DOI: 10.1161/circep.115.003163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background—
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant abnormalities of left atrial (LA) systolic and diastolic function. This study describes a novel measure, LA stiffness index, that estimates LA diastolic function and its association with clinical outcomes of catheter ablation.
Methods and Results—
A total of 219 AF patients referred for ablation (59% paroxysmal, mean CHA
2
DS
2
VASc score 1.7±1.4) were enrolled. Atrial pressure and volume loops were prepared from invasive pressure measures and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging volumetric data during sinus rhythm for all patients. An LA stiffness index was created, defined by the ratio of change in LA pressure to volume during passive filling of LA (ΔP/ΔV). Patients were followed prospectively. Mean LA stiffness index for AF patients was 0.6±0.5 mm Hg/mL (paroxysmal AF 0.51±0.4 and persistent AF 0.73±0.6;
P
<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a rise in the stiffness index with age, increasing at a rate of 0.02 mm Hg/mL per year (
P
<0.001). The LA stiffness index was higher in patients with previous LA ablation(s) for AF (0.51±0.35 versus 0.83±0.70;
P
<0.001). Forty of 160 patients had recurrence after AF ablation with a mean follow-up of 10.4±7.6 months. Patients with recurrence had higher stiffness index than those without recurrence (0.83±0.46 versus 0.40±0.22;
P
<0.001).
Conclusions—
LA stiffness index, a novel measure to assess LA diastolic function, increases with age and is higher in persistent AF and in the setting of repeat AF ablation. Greater LA stiffness index was independently associated with recurrence of AF after LA ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan M. Khurram
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Farhan Maqbool
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ronald D. Berger
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Joseph E. Marine
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - David D. Spragg
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Hiroshi Ashikaga
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Vadim Zipunnikov
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - David A. Kass
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Hugh Calkins
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Saman Nazarian
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Stefan L. Zimmerman
- From the Departments of Cardiology (I.M.K., F.M., R.D.B., J.E.M., D.D.S., H.A., D.A.K., H.C., S.N.) and Radiology and Radiological Sciences (S.L.Z.), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Departments of Biostatistics (V.Z.) and Epidemiology (S.N.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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Abstract
The heart and vascular system are susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcohol is an active toxin that undergoes widespread diffusion throughout the body, causing multiple synchronous and synergistic effects. Alcohol consumption decreases myocardial contractility and induces arrhythmias and dilated cardiomyopathy, resulting in progressive cardiovascular dysfunction and structural damage. Alcohol, whether at binge doses or a high cumulative lifetime consumption-both of which should be discouraged-is clearly deleterious for the cardiovascular system, increasing the incidence of total and cardiovascular mortality, coronary and peripheral artery disease, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus. However, epidemiological, case-control studies and meta-analyses have shown a U-type bimodal relationship so that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption (particularly of wine or beer) is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular events and mortality, compared with abstention. Potential confounding influences-alcohol-dose quantification, tobacco use, diet, exercise, lifestyle, cancer risk, accidents, and dependence-can affect the results of studies of both low-dose and high-dose alcohol consumption. Mendelian methodological approaches have led to doubts regarding the beneficial cardiovascular effects of alcohol, and the overall balance of beneficial and detrimental effects should be considered when making individual and population-wide recommendations, as reductions in alcohol consumption should provide overall health benefits.
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