TITLE:
Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Healthy Individuals in Fasting and Postprandial States
AUTHORS:
Islam M. Sharaf, Ahmed I. Bedier, Hisham M. Wali
KEYWORDS:
Electromechaincal Delay, Left Atrial Remodeling
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.10 No.2,
February
10,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Atrial Electro-Mechanical Delay (AEMD) has been defined as the delay between the electrical stimulation and mechanic contractility that may be attributed to several abnormalities in the atria. It is associated with atrial remodeling that finally leads to atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Fifty five subjects were enrolled in this descriptive observational cross sectional study, (mean age was 33.27 ± 7.49 years, 33 males). All patients were evaluated by precise history taking, clinical examination, twelve lead surface electrocardiography (ECG). ECG gated Echocardiography with measurement of atrial electromechanical coupling (PA), left atrial intra-AEMD over a period of 1 year from July 2017 to July 2018 in Mansoura specialized medical hospital. Results: It was found that PA lateral (50.98 ± 8.07 vs. 50.38 ± 7.47 msec, p 0.026), PA Septal (34.87 ± 6.33 vs. 34.16 ± 6.32 msec, p 0.003) and, left intra-AEMD (PA lateral–PA Septal) (16.72 ± 7.34 vs. 16.21 ± 6.57 msec, p 0.01), values were higher in post prandial condition than in fasting state. Conclusion: Determining electromechanical intervals as the atrial conduction interval with transthoracic echocardiography is a simple, easy bedside method to be evaluated. PA lateral, PA septal and left atrium EMD are prolonged in postprandial condition than during fasting and it may be predictor of occurrence of postprandial palpitation and hidden atrial fibrillation.