The Grade of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction as a Predictive Factor for Permanent Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract The objective of this study was to find a link between the grade of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and the progression to permanent non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), in a group of patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods : A bidirectional study on 57 patients meeting the inclusion criteria was conducted; each patient was admitted in a university-based hospital between January 1st - June, 30, 2013, with a follow up 3 and 6 months later. Permanent atrial fibrillation development was followed. Results : Out of the 57 patients, 23 had paroxysmal AF and 34 were with persistent AF. After six months, 21 patients progressed to permanent AF, representing 36.84% of the total patients. Female patients with age over 65 had more often atrial fibrillation, but more men progressed to a sustained form of AF. No statistically significant difference regarding the grade of diastolic dysfunction, the left atrial size or volume, or the left ventricular ejection fraction was observed between the patients with progression, compared to those without progression. Conclusions : The grade of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction did not prove to be a predictive factor for permanent atrial fibrillation, neither the left atrial size or volume, or the left ventricular ejection fraction.