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April 27, 2026CJC Open0 citationsOpen Access

Predicting atrial fibrillation risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: Left atrial phasic function and strain mechanics

MMMahdi MontazeriNRNegin RashidiDLDeacon Lee

Key Result

Baseline left atrial booster strain (5.8 vs 11.4; P<0.00001) and total LA ejection fraction (32.9 vs 44.0; P<0.00001) by CMR were significantly lower in HCM patients who developed atrial fibrillation.

Key Points

  • The research aims to determine if left atrial phasic function and myocardial deformation predict atrial fibrillation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.
  • Conducted a case control study with 210 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, split into AF and non-AF groups.
  • Compared left atrial volumes, strains, and left ventricular parameters using cardiovascular magnetic resonance.
  • Employed univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to analyze correlations.
  • AF patients had larger left atrial volumes and significantly lower LA booster strain (5.8 vs 11.4, P<0.00001).
  • Total left atrial ejection fraction was worse in AF patients (32.9 vs 44.0, P<0.00001).
  • No significant relationship was found between left ventricular disease markers and the occurrence of AF.

Study Design

Type

Case-Control (n=210)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Do left atrial phasic function and strain mechanics assessed by CMR predict the development of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

P
Population
210 adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) evaluated at a quaternary referral center, including 140 who later developed atrial fibrillation (AF) and 70 age- and gender-matched controls who did not. Mean age 58.9, 90% NYHA class I/II.
I
Intervention
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment of left atrial (LA) phasic function and strain mechanics (specifically LA booster strain and total LA EF) prior to AF onset.
C
Comparator
HCM patients who did not develop AF (controls).
O
Outcome
Development of atrial fibrillation (AF).hard clinical

Impaired left atrial booster strain and total left atrial ejection fraction on baseline CMR are independent predictors of incident atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 5.8% vs 11.4%

p-value: p=<0.00001

Limitations

  • Retrospective study from a single HCM center
  • Potential patient selection bias
  • No CMR assessment after the AF event
  • Did not compare model to other clinical risk scores (e.g., HCM-AF)
  • Did not compare CMR parameters with echocardiography
  • LVOT obstruction assessed only as a categorical variable

Abstract

Background: To evaluate whether the left atrium (LA) phasic function and myocardial deformation by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Methods:The baseline CMRs of HCM patients who later developed AF (n=140; mean age=61 12 years; male=86) were compared with those of HCM patients who did not develop AF (n=70; mean age=58 11 years; male=48).This case control study was conducted at our quaternary referral center between January 2001 and June 2021.The univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the correlation between clinical and imaging parameters versus the likelihood of developing AF.Results: Compared to the non-AF cohort, HCM patients with AF had larger baseline LA volumes and lower LA strain and LA strain rates.Maximum LV wall thickness, absolute and indexed LV mass, and indexed LV end-diastolic volume were larger in patients with AF versus the non-AF group.LV ejection fraction (EF) assessed by CMR along with the LGE (late gadolinium enhancement) prevalence and pattern were similar between patients with and without AF.LA booster strain (5.83.4 in AF group vs 11.44.2 in non-AF group, P<0.00001) and total LA EF (32.912.8 in AF group vs 44.09.3 in non-AF group, P <0.00001) were significantly worse at baseline in AF group.There was no significant relationship between markers of LV disease burden and AF.Conclusions: LA booster strain and total LA EF at baseline CMR correlated with the AF development in HCM patients.

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Cite This Study

Montazeri et al. (2026) conducted a case-control in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=210). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters vs. Patients who did not develop AF was evaluated on LA booster strain (p=<0.00001). Baseline left atrial booster strain (5.8 vs 11.4; P<0.00001) and total LA ejection fraction (32.9 vs 44.0; P<0.00001) by CMR were significantly lower in HCM patients who developed atrial fibrillation.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69eefcf4fede9185760d3ba1https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjco.2026.04.005
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