The value of left atrial mechanical functions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients frequently experience atrial fibrillation (AF) as a complication, which negatively impacts their prognosis. It is hypothesized that low left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) values increase the risk of AF development. This study aims to investigate the role of LASr values in predicting the risk of AF development in STEMI patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 198 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology between May 2022 and May 2023 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they developed AF or not. LASr values, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and other echocardiographic measurements were taken, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were thoroughly examined. Results: The study results indicate that patients with low LASr values have a significantly increased risk of developing AF. The average LASr value was 31 ± 10 in patients without AF, whereas it was 18 ± 1 in patients with AF (p<0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that LASr is an independent risk factor for predicting AF development. Additionally, angiographic evaluations showed that left main coronary artery (LMCA) involvement was significantly higher in the AF group (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study confirms that LASr is an important biomarker in predicting the risk of AF development in STEMI patients. Low LASr values increase the risk of AF, indicating that these patients need closer monitoring. The widespread use of LASr in clinical practice could contribute to the early detection and effective management of AF risk. However, these findings need to be validated in larger patient populations.