Could the echocardiographic parameters be a predictor to estimate cerebrovascular events in patients with micro-atrial fibrillation?

Objectives: This study examined possible predictors of stroke [left atrial sphericity index (LASI), left atrial kinetic energy (LAKE), left atrial volume index (LAVI) atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD)] intervals in patients with micro-atrial fibrillation (micro-AF). Patients and methods: A total of 102 consecutive patients (40 males, 62 females; mean age: 61.5±9.2 years; range, 18 to 75 years) diagnosed with micro-AF on rhythm Holter were included in this retrospective study between June 2021 and October 2021. Cranial magnetic resonance and computed tomography images of these patients were scanned from the hospital database. The patients were divided into two groups according to their stroke status (Group 1, the stroke group [n=25]; Group 2, the nonstroke group [n=77]). The LASI was calculated as a fraction of the left atrial maximum volume to the left atrial volume of the sphere in a four-chamber view. The biplane method of disks was used to calculate left atrium volume. The LAVI was calculated by dividing left atrium (LA) volume by the body surface area of patients. Atrial electromechanical delay intervals were calculated from the atrial walls by tissue Doppler imaging. These two groups were compared to assess whether echocardiographic parameters could be a predictor of cerebrovascular events. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of left (75.7±4.5 vs. 68.4±3.5, p<0.001) and right (69.5±7.1 vs. 57±3.2, p<0.001) atrial lateral wall and LA medial wall (72±4 vs. 66.2±3.5, p<0.001) electromechanical delay times, LAVI (38.9±3.3 vs. 30.9±3.8, p<0.001), LASI (0.78±0.05 vs. 0.67±0.4, p<0.001), and LAKE (3.7±0.9 vs. 7.9±1.9, p<0.001), left atrial diameter (40±5 vs. 38±2, p<0.001). Conclusion: Changes in LASI, LAVI, LAKE, left atrial diameter, and atrial AEMD times may be a predictor of stroke in patients with micro-AF.