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Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: identifying presence by left atrial function

Echo Research & Practice volume 5, pages 97–104 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:The left atrium (LA) is exposed to left ventricular pressure during diastole. Applying the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) guidelines, this study aims to investigate whether left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) and left atrial active emptying fraction (LAAEF) are markers of diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).

Methods: Retrospective cohort of consecutive patients (n = 124) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography were studied. Doppler peak velocities of passive (MV E) and active filling (MV A) were measured and ratio E/A calculated. Tissue Doppler imaging parameters of peak early (e′) of the septal and lateral mitral annulus were measured, and average E/e′ ratio (E/e′) was calculated. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left atrial maximum volume, left atrial minimum volume and LA volume pre-contraction were measured, allowing calculation of LAEF and LAAEF. Subjects were assigned LVDF categories.

Results: Binomial logistic regression model (X2(2) = 48.924, P < 0.01) determined that LAEF and LAAEF predicted diastolic dysfunction with sensitivity 85.5% and specificity 78%. ROC curves determined good diagnostic accuracy for LAEF and LAAEF to predict LVDD, AUC 0.826 and 0.861 respectively. Logistic regression model (X2(2) = 39.525, P < 0.01) predicted those patients with E/e′ ≥14 using LAEF and LAAEF with sensitivity 51.6% and specificity 92.4%. Moderate correlations were found between E/e′ and log derivatives of LAEF and LAAEF.

Conclusions: A decline in LAAEF and LAEF is associated with worsening LVDD.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Papworth Hospital, Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, UK

    Emily Worley MSc, Bushra Rana MBBS, Lynne Williams MBBCh PhD & Shaun Robinson MSc

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  1. Emily Worley MSc
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  2. Bushra Rana MBBS
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  4. Shaun Robinson MSc
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Correspondence to Emily Worley MSc.

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Worley, E., Rana, B., Williams, L. et al. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: identifying presence by left atrial function. Echo Res Pract 5, 97–104 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1530/ERP-18-0013

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Echo Research & Practice

ISSN: 2055-0464

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