Advanced interatrial block is a surrogate for left atrial strain reduction which predicts atrial fibrillation and stroke

BACKGROUND: The association between advanced interatrial block (aIAB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) is known as "Bayes' Syndrome." There is little information on the prognostic role that new speckle tracking echocardiographic (STE) imaging techniques could play in it. We have examined the relationship between left atrial (LA) STE and the prediction of new-onset AF and/or stroke in IAB patients. METHODS: This is an observational prospective and unicentric cohort study with 98 outpatients: 55 (56.2%) controls with normal ECG without IAB, 21 (21.4%) with partial IAB (pIAB) and 22 (22.4%) with aIAB. The end point was new-onset AF, ischemic stroke and the composite of both. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 1.9 (1.7-2.3) years, 20 patients presented the end point (18 new-onset AF and two strokes): 8 (14.5%) in the control group, 3 (14.3%) in pIAB and 9 (40.9%) in aIAB, p = 0.03. In multivariable comprehensive Cox regression analyses, a decrease in absolute value of strain rate during the booster pump function phase (SRa) was the only variable independently related to the appearance in the evolution of the end point, in the first model (age, P-wave duration and SRa): HR 19.9 (95% CI, 3.12-127.5), p = 0.002 and in the second (age, presence of aIAB and SRa): HR 24.2 (95% CI, 3.15-185.4), p = 0.002. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IAB, a decrease in absolute value of LA SRa with STE predicts new-onset AF and ischemic stroke. Future studies should confirm our results and assess the prognostic usefulness of LA STE in patients with IAB.