Assessment of the ability of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scoring system to grade left atrial function by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography

BACKGROUND: The CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scoring system is correlated with left atrial (LA) reservoir function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) rhythm or paroxysmal AF. We assessed the ability of CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc to grade LA function in patients with sinus rhythm who were candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 340 consecutive candidates for CABG and categorized them according to their CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores as mild-, moderate-, and high-risk score groups with 34 (10%), 83 (24%), and 223 (66%) patients, respectively. LA function was evaluated via 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography in terms of global longitudinal strain and strain rate during the reservoir, conduit, and contraction phases. In-hospital mortality, postoperative AF, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and prolonged mechanical ventilation were assessed. RESULTS: LA strain and strain rate during the reservoir phase was statistically significantly lower in the high-risk score group than the low- and moderate-risk score groups (27.8 ± 6.9% vs 31.0 ± 5.0% vs 29.8 ± 6.1%, respectively; P = 0.004 and 2.6 ± 0.7 s(−1) vs 2.9 ± 0.6 s(−1) vs 2.9 ± 0.6 s(−1), correspondingly; P = 0.009) and regarding LA strain and strain rate during the conduit phase (9.7 [7.1–12.5]% vs 12.9 [9.4–15.1]% vs 11.5 [9.1–13.8]%, correspondingly; P < 0.001 and 2.1 [1.6–2.7] s(−1) vs 2.8 [2.4–3.6] s(−1) vs 2.6 [2.2–3.0] s(−1), respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, LA strain rate during the conduit phase was lower in the moderate-risk score group than the low-risk score group. After adjustments for possible confounders, these differences remained statistically significant. The risk of postoperative AF and prolonged ICU stay was highest in the high-risk score group (relative risk = 9.67 (1.31–71.43) and 8.05 (1.08–60.16), respectively; P = 0.026 and P = 0.042, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LA reservoir and conduit functions decreased in the high-risk score group, which was accompanied by an increased risk of postoperative AF and prolonged ICU stay.