The Relationships between Atrial Electromechanical Delay and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Patients Diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Vol. 32; no. 9; pp. 1359 - 1366
• Main Authors: Nar, Gökay, İnci, Sinan, Aksan, Gökhan, Soylu, Korhan, Demirelli, Selami, Nar, Rukiye
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2015
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnostic imaging; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; echocardiography; electromechanical delay; Female; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography; electromechanical delay; atrial fibrillation; echocardiography
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.12855

Aim
This study aims to evaluate the relationship between atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) times and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores in patients diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
Materials and Methods
The study included a total of 74 patients, 34 of whom were diagnosed with PAF and 40 were included in the control group. The CHA2DS2‐VASc score was calculated for each patient. Additionally, blood samples were taken from all patients and transthoracic echocardiographic measurements were made. Left atrial mechanical functions and AEMD were calculated.
Results
Mean CHA2DS2‐VASc score measured was 2.24 ± 1.53 in PAF group. There was no significant difference between the groups when the patients were evaluated for baseline characteristics and laboratory parameters (P > 0.05) The echocardiographic evaluation of LA mechanical functions showed that only LA minimum volume (19 ± 6.4 vs. 16.7 ± 4.6, P = 0.02) and LA presystolic volume (28.9 ± 7 vs. 25.1 ± 5.7, P = 0.01) were higher in the PAF group. When AEMD was compared between the groups; lateral PA, septal PA, tricuspid PA, Interatrial EMD, and intraatrial EMD were significantly extended compared to control group (P < 0.001) CHA2DS2‐VASc score was correlated with Lateral atrial PA (P < 0.001, r = 0.524), Septal atrial PA (P < 0.001, r = 0.45), Interatrial EMD (P < 0.001, r = 0.54), and intraatrial EMD (P < 0.001, r = 0.51) times.
Conclusion
The present study shows that AEMD times increase in patients with PAF compared to the control group. Furthermore, this study revealed a correlation between AEMD times and CHA2DS2‐VASc score, as well showed that extended AEMD time may be associated with thromboembolism risk.