Epicardial obesity and left atrial mechanical dispersion in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation

Aim . To compare the epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in right ventricular anterior wall (RVAW) and left atrial mechanical dispersion (LAMD) hypertensive (HTN) patients without arrhythmias with various types of recurrent fibrillation (AF). Material methods This observational cross-sectional single-center study included 383 HTN, which 251 did not have AF, 61 had paroxysmal, 71 — persistent AF. Echocardiography performed against background sinus rhythm assessed EFT RVAW. In addition, using speckle-tracking echocardiography, LAMD was determined, equal to percentage standard deviation time peak global longitudinal LA strain reservoir phase duration cardiac cycle. Results HTN paroxysmal 6,70 [5,80; 8,00], 8,20 [7,10; 9,93] 8,70 [7,93; 10,0] mm (р<0,0001), 0,72 [0,58; 0,93], 2,87 [2,40; 3,28] 2,67 [2,11; 3,15]% (p<0,0001), respectively. Conclusion RVAW is significantly greater than arrhythmias. while practically does differ.