PMID- 17689293
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20080825
LR  - 20161124
IS  - 1532-2114 (Electronic)
IS  - 1532-2114 (Linking)
VI  - 9
IP  - 3
DP  - 2008 May
TI  - The left atrial function index: a rhythm independent marker of atrial function.
PG  - 356-62
AB  - AIMS: This study evaluates a simple echocardiographic rhythm independent 
      expression of left atrial (LA) function, 'the left atrial function index' (LAFI). 
      BACKGROUND: Quantitation of LA function is challenging and often established 
      parameters including peak A are limited to sinus rhythm (SR). We hypothesized 
      that atrial function could be characterized independent of rhythm by combining 
      analogues of LA volume, reservoir function and LV stroke volume. METHODS: 
      Seventy-two patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) were followed for six 
      months post cardioversion (CV). Thirty-seven age matched healthy subjects were 
      controls. The LAFI = LAEF x LVOT-VTI/LAESVI (LAEF = LA emptying fraction, LAESVI 
      = maximal LA volume indexed to BSA, LVOT-VTI = outflow tract velocity time 
      integral). RESULTS: The LAFI pre-CV in the CAF group was depressed vs controls 
      (0.10 +/- 0.05 vs 0.54 +/- 0.17; P = 0.0001). Post-CV, LAFI was lower in 
      persistent AF than in those restored to SR (AF vs SR: 0.08 +/- 0.03 vs 0.15 +/- 
      0.08; P = 0.0001), improved progressively in SR and was unchanged when AF 
      persisted. CONCLUSION: The LAFI, a simple, rhythm independent expression of 
      atrial function, appears sensitive to differences between individuals in AF and 
      those restored to SR and justifies clinical and investigative applications.
FAU - Thomas, Liza
AU  - Thomas L
AD  - Department of Cardiology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Darcy Road, 
      Sydney 2145, NSW, Australia. lizat@westgate.wh.usyd.edu.au
FAU - Hoy, Michelle
AU  - Hoy M
FAU - Byth, Karen
AU  - Byth K
FAU - Schiller, Nelson B
AU  - Schiller NB
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
DEP - 20070807
PL  - England
TA  - Eur J Echocardiogr
JT  - European journal of echocardiography : the journal of the Working Group on 
      Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology
JID - 100890618
SB  - IM
MH  - Aged
MH  - Atrial Fibrillation/*diagnostic imaging/*physiopathology
MH  - *Atrial Function, Left
MH  - Heart Atria/*diagnostic imaging
MH  - Humans
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Ultrasonography
EDAT- 2007/08/11 09:00
MHDA- 2008/08/30 09:00
CRDT- 2007/08/11 09:00
PHST- 2007/08/11 09:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2008/08/30 09:00 [medline]
PHST- 2007/08/11 09:00 [entrez]
AID - j.euje.2007.06.002 [pii]
AID - 10.1016/j.euje.2007.06.002 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Eur J Echocardiogr. 2008 May;9(3):356-62. doi: 10.1016/j.euje.2007.06.002. Epub 
      2007 Aug 7.