Measuring atrial stasis during sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using 4 Dimensional flow imaging: 4D flow imaging of atrial stasis.

BACKGROUND

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is associated with cardioembolic risk, however events may occur during sinus rhythm (SR). 4D-flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allows visualisation of left atrial blood flow, to determine the residence time distribution (RTD), an assessment of atrial transit time.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if atrial transit time is prolonged in PAF patients during SR, consistent with underlying atrial stasis.

METHOD

91 participants with PAF and 18 healthy volunteers underwent 4D flow analysis in SR. Velocity fields were produced RTDs, calculated by seeding virtual 'particles' at the right upper pulmonary vein and counting them exiting the mitral valve. An exponential decay curve quantified residence time of particles in the left atrium, and atrial stasis was expressed as the derived constant (RTD) based on heartbeats. The RTD was evaluated within the PAF group, and compared to healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Patients with PAF (n = 91) had higher RTD compared with gender-matched controls (n = 18) consistent with greater atrial stasis (1.68 ± 0.46 beats vs 1.51 ± 0.20 beats; p = .005). PAF patients with greater thromboembolic risk had greater atrial stasis (median RTD of 1.72 beats in CHA₂DS₂-VASc≥2 vs 1.52 beats in CHA₂DS₂-VASc<2; p = .03), only female gender and left ventricular ejection fraction contributed significantly to the atrial RTD (p = .006 and p = .023 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Atrial stasis quantified by 4D flow is greater in PAF, correlating with higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Female gender and systolic dysfunction are associated with atrial stasis. RTD offers an insight into atrial flow that may be developed to provide a personalised assessment of thromboembolic risk.