Left atrial global and regional function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has already been impaired before enlargement of left atrium: velocity vector imaging echocardiography study

Abstract

LA function, particularly LA active relaxation and contraction, was lower in PAF patients than in subjects with sinus rhythm, regardless of LA size and age. LA functional impairment was observed regardless of hypertension before LA enlargement in patients with PAF. Reduced LA function, as assessed by VVI, is an important feature of AF as well as LA structure.