Left Atrial Mechanical Dispersion Assessed by Strain Echocardiography as an Independent Predictor of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Left atrial (LA) enlargement is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), but new-onset AF often occurs in the absence of LA enlargement. AF may be related to myocardial fibrosis, and even though left ventricular fibrosis is associated with mechanical dispersion, this phenomenon is not well studied in AF. We hypothesized that detection of LA dysfunction and mechanical dispersion using strain echocardiography is useful for predicting new-onset AF. Methods: Baseline echocardiography was performed at entry in 576 community-based participants at risk of heart failure or AF. In this case-control study, we compared 35 individuals with new-onset AF (age 70 ± 4 years; 57% men) over 2 yea..