The relationship between left atrium global longitudinal strain and epicardial fat thickness in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between left atrium global longitudinal strain (LA-GLS) and epicardialfat thickness (EFT) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).Material and Method: Descriptive demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were recorded. EFT was assessed by conventionalechocardiography. LA-GLS was evaluated by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. The total atrial conduction time (TACT)was evaluated by atrial tissue doppler imaging.Results: The age was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (control group). EFT was significantly higher in group 1 than in group2 (respectively, group 1; 7.5±0.5; group 2; 4.5±0.5, p<0.05) . The study found that LA-GLS was significantly lower in group 1 than in group2 (respectively, group 1; 18.3±0.5; group 2; 22.5, p<0.05). TACT was also significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (respectively,group 1; 109.1±5.1 ms; group 2; 81.0±3.0 ms, p<0.05).Conclusion: EFT increased, LA-GLS values decreased and TACT has been extended in patients with paroxysmal AF. These parameters canbe used for predicting AF.