Effect of age, gender, and left ventricular diastolic function on left atrial volume index in adults without known cardiovascular disease or risk factors

Clinical impact of left atrial enlargement in Korean patients with atrial fibrillation

We sought to evaluate the clinical implication of LAE based on left atrial anterior–posterior (LA AP) dimension or LA volume index (LAVI) in Korean patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We enrolled 8159 AF patients from the CODE-AF registry. The primary outcome was rate of stroke or systemic embolism (SSE). The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe LAE by LA AP dimension was 30.6%, 18.5%, and 21.4%, and by LAVI (available in 5808 patients) was 15.7%, 12.5% and 37.8%, respectively. Compared with no or mild LAE, patients with significant LAE (moderate to severe LAE, n = 3258, 39.9%) were associated with a higher rate of SSE (2.5% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.001). Multivariable analysis suggested presence of significant LAE by LA AP dimension was associated with a higher risk of SSE in the overall population (HR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.14–2.17, P = 0.005) and in patients using anticoagulants (n = 5836, HR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.23–2.63, P = 0.002). Patients with significant LAE by LAVI were also at higher risk of SSE (HR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.09–2.29, P = 0.017). In conclusion, significant LAE by LA dimension or LAVI was present in 39.9% and 50.2% of AF patients, respectively, and was associated with a higher rate of SSE.

Relation of Body Mass Index and Gender to Left Atrial Size and Atrial Fibrillation

Increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity are associated with greater risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether this correlation is independent and gender specific remains unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize the relation between BMI, left atrial (LA) size, and presence of AF and determine whether this association is gender specific. We prospectively studied 499 patients who underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram at an academic tertiary care medical center. Clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained. The primary outcome of interest was the presence of AF. Of 499 patients studied, 240 (48.1%) were men and 259 (51.9%) were women. Of these, 151 (30.1%) had normal BMI, 181 (36.3%) were overweight, and 167 (33.5%) were obese. Obese patients were younger and had larger LA diameters, LA areas (LAAs), and LA volumes (LAVs). Rates of AF were similar among the BMI classes in the overall population and in men and women separately. In multivariate analysis, BMI and gender were both independently associated with LA diameter, LAA, and LAV. Age (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04, p = 0.023) and LA diameter (odds ratio 2.52, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.97, p <0.001) were the only determinants of the presence of AF in the overall population. BMI and gender were not independently associated with AF. In this observational study, our findings demonstrate that higher BMI and male gender were independently associated with greater LA diameter, LAA, and LAV. Older age and greater LA diameter were independently associated with higher rates of AF, whereas BMI and gender were not.

Longitudinal development of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is considered to be common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but information on its progression over time is lacking. We studied the longitudinal development of left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) and myocardial blood flow reserve in patients with T2DM who were free from clinically detectable cardiovascular disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The LVDF was assessed in 73 patients with T2DM (mean age 67 ± 7 years; males 51%) on two occasions separated by 6.4 ± 0.8 years.

RESULTS

At baseline, LVDD was observed in 23 of the patients (32%). During follow-up, the LVDF normalized in 10 of these patients (43%) and remained unchanged in 13 of them (57%). Of the 50 patients (68%) with normal LVDF at baseline, LVDD developed in 9 (18%). Paired evaluation of myocardial blood volume index was available from 22 patients with LVDD and remained unchanged over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The condition of the majority of the investigated patients with LVDD improved or remained stable over a period of 6 years.