Relationship of CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc and CHADS(2) Score to Left Atrial Remodeling Detected by Velocity Vector Imaging in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: The CHADS(2)/CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores are used to predict thrombo-embolic/stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, limited data are available regarding the association between these risk stratification for stroke and left atrial (LA) remodeling status of AF patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between these scores and LA remodeling status assessed quantificationally by echocardiography in AF patients. METHODS: One hundred AF patients were divided into 3 groups based on the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc/CHADS(2) score: the score of 0 (low stroke risk), the score of 1 (moderate stroke risk) and the score of ≥2 (high stroke risk). All patients were performed through conventional and velocity vector imaging echocardiography. Echocardiographic parameters: maximum LA volume index (LAVImax), LA total emptying fraction (LAEFt) and LA mean strain were obtained to assess quantificationally LA remodeling status. RESULTS: On categorizing with CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc, the score of 1 group showed augment in LAVImax and attenuation in LA mean strain derived from VVI, compared with the score of 0 group (LAVImax: 40.27±21.91 vs. 26.79±7.87, p=0.002; LA mean strain: 15.18±6.36 vs. 22±8.54, p=0.001). On categorizing with the CHADS(2) score, similar trends were seen between the score of ≥2 and 1 groups (LAVImax: 43.72±13.77 vs. 31.41±9.50, p<0.001; LA mean strain: 11.01±5.31 vs. 18.63±7.00, p<0.001). With multivariate logistic regression, LAVImax (odds ratio: 0.92 , 95% C=I: 0.85 to 0.98, p= 0.01) and LA mean strain reflecting LA remodeling (odds ratio: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.19, p=0.01) were strongly predictive of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score of 0. CONCLUSIONS: The superiority of the CHADS(2) score may lay in identifying LA remodeling of AF patients with high stroke risk. Whereas, the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score was better than the CHADS(2) score at identifying LA remodeling of AF patients presenting low stroke risk.