Left Atrial Function Predicts Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart failure (HF) is known to be the most widespread epidemic of cardiovascular disease. Among several factors with prognostic value for the clinical course of HF, left atrial (LA) function has not yet been fully examined. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate LA function for the prediction of major cardiovascular outcomes in stable patients with chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, as secondary end points, cardiovascular mortality and atrial fibrillation were analyzed separately. Methods: The predictive value of LA function evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiography was assessed in a population of 286 outpatients referred to the authors’ institution for routine evaluation of chronic HF. Global peak atrial longitudinal strain was measured at the end of the reservoir phase and calculated by averaging in all LA segments. Results: During a median follow-up period of 48 ± 11 months, major adverse cardiac events occurred in 98 patients (34%). In a multivariate model, global peak atrial longitudinal strain (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94–0.96; P =.02), left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.97; P =.01), and renal failure (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; P =.01) were independent predictors of an adverse outcome. Sixty-six patients (23%) died of cardiac causes. Fifty-four patients (19%) developed atrial fibrillation. Patients with lower global peak atrial longitudinal strain showed worse event-free survival and developed atrial fibrillation more frequently than those with higher levels. Conclusions: LA function assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography is an independent prognostic marker in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction.