Left ventricular diastolic function after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

In animal models with chronic rapid pacing induced cardiomyopathy, systolic dysfunction is accompanied by an increased diastolic wall stress and impaired myocardial relaxation. 2 In addition, recovery from supraventricular tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy in animal models is associated with hypertrophy, reduced myocardial blood flow, and diastolic dysfunction. 3 Whether the same changes in diastolic left ventricular function hold true for humans with AF remains to be investigated. Control (n=17) Lone AF (n=17) Age (years) 57 (11) 65 (13)* Sex (male/female) 7/10 11/6 Atrial fibrillation duration (median, range, days) - 135 (60-1215) Echocardiography (mm) LVEDD 48 (5) 45 (5) LVESD 29 (4) 27 (2) FS (% of LVEDD) 39 (6) 39 (5) LA (LA) 35 (6) 42 (5)* LA (AP) 51 (2) 61 (7)** Heart rate (per min)[dagger] 66 (8) 67 (11) Electrocardiography PR interval (ms)[dagger] 165 (19) 215 (22)*** QRS width (ms)[dagger] 91 (9) 90 (21) Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg)[dagger] 137 (14) 120 (13) Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg)[dagger] 84 (7) 66 (7)*** Radionuclide angiography LVEF (% of EDV)[dagger] 61 (5) 58 (5) PFR (FV/s) 3.28 (0.64) 3.81 (0.67)* TPFR (ms) 199 (42) 155 (44)** EDF (%FV) 67 (7) 69 (6) DF (%FV) 14 (7) 18 (5) AFF (%FV) 31 (5) 24 (6)** *p