Evaluation of cardiac structure and function in elderly patients with persistent atrial fibrillation by two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To evaluate the cardiac structure and ventricular function in elderly patients with persistent atrial fibrillation(PAF)by two-dimensional and real time three-dimensional echocardiography. Methods From January 2015 to December 2016, 50 patients with PAF more than 15 years in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were enrolled as experimental group; 50 healthy subjects in the same period were selected as control group. The parameters of the conventional two-dimensional echocardiography were obtained respectively for experimental group and control group: the area of left atrial end-diastolic(LAA); the area of right atrial end-diastolic(RAA); left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVDd); left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVDs); end-diastolic thickness of ventricular septum(IVSTd); end-diastolic thickness of LV posterior wall(LVPWd); mitral regurgitation(MR); right ventricular end-diastolic dimension(RVDd); tricuspid regurgitation(TR); the rate change of inferior vena cava(ΔIVC); diastolic flow velocity of mitral valve diastolic and tricuspid valve were measured by spectral Doppler, and diastolic velocity of mitral and tricuspid annular plane by tissue Doppler imaging, then E/E’ were calculated. The parameters of the three-dimensional echocardiography parameters were obtained for experimental group and control group: end-systolic volume(ESV); end-diastolic volume(EDV); ejection fractions of Simpson(EF). Results Conventional parameters: there were no significant differences between experimental group and control group of LVDd, LVDs, IVSTd and LVPWd(all P>0.05); The LAA, MR, RAA, RVDd, E/E’, TR of experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P 0.05). Conclusions Real-time Three-Dimensional echocardiography is independent of the ventricular geometry and can accurately evaluate left ventricular volume and ejection fraction.In elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and long-term poorly controlled ventricular rate, double atrium and right ventricle are enlarged and heart function, especially right ventricular function decreased. Key words: Echocardiography, three-dimensional; Aged; Atrial fibrillation; Cardiac structure and function