Abstract
Background Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is a
frequent kind of arrhythmia that affects around %1 of the general
population. While PVC most frequently impairs ventricular function in
structurally normal heart, retrograde ventriculo-atrial conduction can
occur in people with PVC. These retrograde atrial activations may mimic
pulmonary vein-derived atrial ectopies. As a result, PVC may raise the
risk of AF by retrograde ventriculo-atrial conduction. The
Four-Dimensional Automated Left Atrial Quantification (4D Auto LAQ) tool
is a left atrial analytical approach that utilizes three-dimensional
volume data to quantify the volume, as well as LA longitudinal and
circumferential strains. The purpose of this study was to determine if
clinical diagnosis of PVC is connected with abnormal LA function as
determined by LA strain evaluation utilizing a 4D Auto LAQ compared to
the healthy population. Methods The 58 patients with frequent
PVCs and 53 healthy volunteers as a control group were enrolled in the
study. Imaging was performed using the GE Vivid E95 echocardiography
equipment (GE Healthcare; Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway) equipped
with an M5S probe (frequency range: 1.5–4.6 MHz) and a 4V probe
(frequency range: 1.5–4.0 MHz). Images were imported into and were
selected for analysis using the EchoPAC203 software (GE Healthcare). The
analysis mode was selected, followed by the volume and 4D Auto LAQ
submodes. Following that, the sample point was positioned in the center
of the mitral orifice in each of the three planes. The review function
was used to acquire the LA parameters measured by 4D Auto LAQ, including
volume and strain parameters. Results The maximum left atrial
volume (LAVmax) and minimal left atrial volume (LAVmin) were
signifcantly higher in the patient group (38.91 ± 9.72 vs. 46.31 ±
10.22, 17.75 ± 4.52 vs. 23.10 ± 7.13 respectively, all p values
<0,001). On the other hand left atrial reservoir longitudinal
strain (LASr), conduit longitudinal strain (LAScd), contraction
longitudinal strain (LASct), reservoir circumferential strain (LASr-c),
conduit circumferential strain (LAScd-c), and contraction
circumferential strain (LASct-c) were signifcantly lower in patient
group (26.64 ± 5.64 vs.19.16 ± 4.58, -19.53 ± 3.72vs.-11.28 ± 3.47,
-10.34 ± 1.56 vs.-4.59 ± 1.49, 30.72 ± 4.04 vs.19.31 ± 2.60, -19.91 ±
1.78 vs. -13.38 ± 2.85,-15.89 ± 6.37vs.-9.24 ± 1.63 , respectively, all
p values <0,001). Conclusions The present study found
that premature ventricular complexes can lead to atrial remodeling as
well as ventricular remodeling in patients with PVC and 4D LAQ
technology can quantitatively examine left atrial function and determine
these alterations early.