Evaluation of atrial function by 2D strain echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract Objectives To evaluate atrial function by 2D strain in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal or slightly increased atrial size and to verify whether lower atrial strain is associated with more frequent AF recurrences. Materials and methods We studied 50 patients with AF, mean age 59.6 ± 13 years and 50 age-and gender-matched controls. We analyzed left atrial function through 2Dstrain imaging, after the re-establishment of sinus rhythm (SR) and we investigated about the recurrences of the arrhythmia. Results Atrial strain (AS) was lower in AF patients vs controls (LA p Conclusions The assessment of atrial function by strain imaging might help to identify patients who nee…