Markers Of Atrial Myopathy in The General Population - Prevalence, Predictors and Inter-Relations (JCEP November 2023)-Article: Markers Of Atrial Myopathy in The General Population - Prevalence, Predictors and Inter-Relations

Article: Markers Of Atrial Myopathy in The General Population - Prevalence, Predictors and Inter-Relations

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Atrial myopathy, a condition characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of the atria, is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. However, diagnostic criteria for atrial myopathy are still lacking. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical correlates, and overlap between potential markers of atrial myopathy in the general population. The study included 6,013 subjects without AF from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS). Different markers of atrial myopathy were assessed, including premature atrial complexes (PACs), left atrial volume index (LAVi), P-wave duration, and P-wave terminal force in V1 (PWTFV1). The results showed that atrial myopathy was common, with 42% of the sample having at least one marker. However, there was only a weak correlation and low overlap between the different markers. PAC frequency was associated with age, male sex, systolic blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and antihypertensive medication. LAVi was associated with physical activity and body mass index, while P-wave duration and PWTFV1 were associated with BMI. The study highlights the need for further research to accurately identify individuals with atrial myopathy using diagnostic methods and to better understand its relationship with AF, heart failure, and stroke risk. Overall, the findings suggest that atrial myopathy is a complex condition with multiple causal pathways, and a comprehensive diagnostic approach may be required to assess its presence and associated risks.

Keywords

atrial myopathy

structural abnormalities

functional abnormalities

atria

atrial fibrillation

stroke

prevalence

clinical correlates

diagnostic criteria