Left Atrial Strain Values as an Early Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation

Left atrial strain values,LA volume size,LA area size

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm. This occurs as the
 chambers of the heart pump irregularly, often resulting in a fast heart rate and symptoms of
 irregular pounding and fluttering. There are many risk factors predisposing to AF, however,
 the cause cannot always be easily determined. Additionally, not all AF patients experience
 symptoms and consequently, this abnormal rhythm may go undetected and may be discovered
 accidentally. This is detrimental to patients, as untreated AF patients are at an increased
 risk of stroke.
 
 Patients that are suspected of having AF are referred for an ultrasound scan of the heart
 (echocardiogram). It is expected to see structural changes to the heart's chambers. However,
 structural and electrical changes of the heart may be the cause of AF but may also be a
 result of AF, resulting in a chicken and egg situation. It may be possible that a different
 type of measurement can be used during an echocardiogram to detect subtle changes in heart
 muscle patterns. This measurement may then serve to be an early predictor of AF. This would
 be determined by comparing the patterns in patients with a normal, regular rhythm to those
 with AF.
 
 Potential candidates are initially screened based on their echocardiogram referral. If deemed
 suitable for this study, the study process is explained to the patient and written informed
 consent is invited and received. The echocardiogram will be performed as normal with a focus
 on the area and volume measurements taken of one of the top chambers of the heart. An
 additional measurement will be taken to observe any subtle changes in the arrangement of
 heart cells within this same heart chamber. These measurements can be compared to each other
 to establish any relationship as well as compared to patients with and without AF.