Comparison of atrial and ventricular functional echocardiographic
indices between anterior and posterior circulation stroke patients, a
cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background and purpose: Ischemic stroke in one of the leading
causes of acquired disability worldwide. While studies on left atrial
function as a risk factor for stroke have been conducted, data on right
atrium and right ventricle function are scant. The present study aims to
compare the left and right atria and the right ventricle
echocardiographic indices between anterior (ACI) and posterior (PCI)
circulation stroke patients. Methods: This cross-sectional
study enrolled 102 patients with confirmed anterior or posterior
ischemic stroke between 2022 and 2024. Baseline characteristics,
clinical and laboratory data were obtained and 2-dimensional
transthoracic echocardiography was performed for all patients.
Differences between the two stroke groups were investigated.
Results: ACI patients had significantly higher National
institute of health stroke scores (NIHSS) and right ventricular
fractional area change was significantly higher in PCI patients (
P-value=0.036 and 0.005 respectively). Among initial laboratory
data aspartate aminotransferase and C-reactive protein levels were
significantly different between the two groups ( P-value=0.022
and 0.025, respectively). Aortic annulus (aortic AA), aortic stenosis
junction (aortic STJ) and pulmonary artery mean pressure gradient (PA
MG) were also significantly different among two groups (P-value= 0.002,
0.016 and 0.006 respectively). Conclusions: Our findings
suggest that patients with ACI may have a slightly different pattern of
right ventricular remodeling compared to patients with PCI, which may be
associated with differences in cardiac structure and function.