Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the alteration of left atrial function in patients with atrial fibrillation using real-time triplane strain rate imaging and to investigate its clinical significance. Methods: Thirty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 47 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and 33 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Systolic peak strain rate, early diastolic peak strain rate and late diastolic peak strain rate were measured in different left atrial walls using real-time triplane strain rate imaging. Results: There was a significantly step-down change among control group, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group and persistent atrial fibrillation group in mean systolic peak strain rate and mean early diastolic peak strain rate(P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions: Real-time triplane strain rate imaging is able to assess left atrial dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation.
2010, Vol. 21 
