Evaluation of right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is frequently an electrical sign of underlying structural heart disease. Structural remodelling may begin not only ventricles but also atrium secondary to AF. As a result of this remodelling, focal activities turn into re-entran loops which lead to chronic AF. Changing secondary to chronic AF has been shown in both left atrium and left ventricle. In this study, it is planned to investigate the effect of paroxysmal atriyal fibrillation on right ventricle function.Method: We prospectively analyzed 30 patients diagnosed with PAF were admitted to the outpatient clinic for the application of transthoracic echocardiography examination between July 2011 and December 2011. Diagnosis of PAF was made by 24 hour holter tests or spontaneous episodes of AF during electrophysiological study. Twenty five patients who identified any rhythm problems were selected as control group. Cardiac risk factors and medical treatment of patients were asked and recorded in both groups. Right ventricle EF, E, A, E/A ratio, IVRT, DT, right ventricle shortening, TAPSE, MPI, IVA measurements were performed with M-mode pulse doppler and tissue doppler as an indicator of right ventricular systolic and diastolic function.Results: There was no statistical difference between two groups in terms of demographic characteristicts. The mean age of patients with PAF was 52,0±6,2 years and 48,1±6,5 in the control group(p=0,287). 22 of patients (%40) were female and 33 of patients (%60) were male. TAPSE was similar in both groups (1,94±0,36 vs 81,99±0,23, p=0,55, respectively). İVA value was 2,6±1,1 in PAF group and 2,6±1,0 in control group (p=0,38). Tei index value was calculated 0,6±0,1 in PAF group and 0,5±0,1 in control group (p=0,06). When two groups compared with regard to right ventricle systolic function, there was no statistically significance between groups but Tei index was over upper limit in PAF group. In terms of right ventricular systolic and diastolic function were not statistically different between patients and control groups.Conclusion: In this study, we evaluated right ventricular function in patients with PAF, Tei index which assess globally right ventricular function was over upper limit. It is calculated that this changing was due to IVRT. This result may indicate that right ventricular diastolic function effected in patients with PAF.Key words: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, right ventricul functions, tei index.