Assessment of left atrial function after percutaneous coronary intervention: A doppler-based strain and strain rate study

Background: Left atrial function can be critical for risk assessment and prediction of adverse cardiac events. Tissue Doppler of atrial contraction can provide regional and global snapshots of atrial systolic function. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess left atrial function by tissue Doppler parameters of strain and strain rate following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients and Methods: This prospective study recruited 77 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who underwent PCI. The study end point was to assess left atrial function by regional strain and strain rate parameters before and after PCI via tissue Doppler imaging. Results: Regarding changes in left trial functional parameters after PCI, those such as the strain of the septal wall and the anterior and inferior walls and the strain rate of the anterior and lateral walls significantly increased following PCI, while the strain of the lateral wall and the strain rate of the septal wall significantly decreased. Conclusions: PCI was accompanied by some improvement in left atrial deformation indices as assessed by tissue Doppler imaging. Revascularization can, therefore, improve patient outcome.