International Journal of Cardiology
Volume 136, Issue 3 , Pages 346-348, 21 August 2009

Transthoracic echocardiography during sinus rhythm identifies elderly patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation at high risk of cerebral infarction

Department of Cardiology and Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Zentsuji National Hospital, Kagawa, Japan

Received 10 January 2008; accepted 26 April 2008. published online 21 July 2008.

Abstract 

We performed transthoracic echocardiography during sinus rhythm in elderly nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (NV-PAF) patients (≥65 years) with cerebral infarction and in patients without cerebral infarction. This study suggests that elderly NV-PAF patients at high risk for cerebral infarction seem to have a pseudonormalization pattern of transmitral inflow, and decreased atrial reversal flow of pulmonary venous flow, and increased left atrial volume.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Elderly people, Cerebral infarction, Transthoracic echocardiography

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PII: S0167-5273(08)00648-7

doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.04.065

International Journal of Cardiology
Volume 136, Issue 3 , Pages 346-348, 21 August 2009

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