Left Atrial Phasic Function and Its Association With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background Left atrial (LA) size is a marker of prognosis in severe aortic stenosis (AS). The aims of this retrospective study were to assess the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on the recovery of LA phasic function and to assess the relationship between LA function and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NAF) after TAVI. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, LA function was measured using biplane volumes and 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in 52 patients (median age, 81 years) with severe AS before TAVI and at midterm follow-up. Twenty healthy individuals ≥ 75 years were used as controls. Results Before TAVI, the 3 phasic volumetric emptying fractions and all STE-derived parameters of LA function were significantly reduced. At 5 ± 3 months after TAVI, there was an improvement in LA reservoir and contractile function. However, LA phasic volumes and emptying fractions showed minimal changes. Fourteen patients had NAF in the early postprocedural period after TAVI. These patients experienced longer hospitalization (11 days vs 6 days; P = 0.002). By bivariable logistic regression analysis, the use of a transapical approach and the LA early diastolic strain rate (SR) before TAVI were significantly associated with NAF immediately after TAVI. Conclusions Severe AS is associated with LA dysfunction. Intrinsic LA compliance and LA contractile properties by STE improved at midterm follow-up after TAVI. Preprocedural LA early diastolic SR may predict the development of NAF after TAVI pending confirmation by larger prospective evaluations.