Left atrial enlargement is an independent predictor of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Controversy exists regarding whether left atrial enlargement (LAE) is a predictor of stroke/systemic embolism (SE) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The Fushimi AF Registry, a community-based prospective survey, enrolled all AF patients in Fushmi-ku, Japan, from March 2011. Follow-up data and baseline echocardiographic data were available for 2,713 patients by August 2015. We compared backgrounds and incidence of events over a median follow-up of 976.5 days between patients with LAE (left atrial diameter > 45 mm; LAE group) and those without in the Fushimi AF Registry. The LAE group accounted for 39% (n = 1,049) of cohort. The LAE group was older and had longer AF duration, with more prevalent non-paroxysmal AF, higher CHADS(2)/CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score, and oral anticoagulant (OAC) use. A higher risk of stroke/SE during follow-up in the LAE group was found (entire cohort; hazard ratio (HR): 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.64; p < 0.01; without OAC; HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.18–3.25; p < 0.01; with OAC; HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.21–2.82; p < 0.01). LAE was independently associated with increased risk of stroke/SE (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.25–2.42; p < 0.01) after adjustment by the components of CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score and OAC use. In conclusion, LAE was an independent predictor of stroke/SE in large community cohort of AF patients.