BACKGROUND

Sinus P-wave abnormalities have been associated stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). The majority of AF-related strokes occur from left atrial appendage (LAA) thromboembolism. Dysfunction of the left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) can increase rates of thromboembolic stroke. We studied whether abnormal P wave terminal force in V1 (aPTFV1) is associated with decreased LAA ejection velocity (LAAV) on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study reviewing patients at a tertiary care medical center who underwent TEE in sinus rhythm and had an interpretable sinus ECG within 12 months of TEE. Participants were excluded for complex congenital heart disease, age <18, cardiac transplantation, and chronic atrial pacing. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios of LAAV<40 cm/s for aPTFV1.

RESULTS

In our final cohort of 169 patients (28% of which had LAAV <40), the multivariate odds ratio of aPTFV1 for LAAV<40 cm/s after adjustment for CHADSVASc variables, heart rate during TEE, history of atrial arrhythmias, and left atrial volume index was 2.24 (95% CI of 1.13-6.00).

CONCLUSION

Abnromal P-wave terminal force in lead V1 is associated with low LAAV after adjustment for potential confounders. Future research is needed for validation of our findings and determination of clinical utility.