Comparison of left atrial deformation parameters between renal transplant and hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation (RT) has been demonstrated to improve left ventricular systolic function. However, only few studies have attempted to reveal the effects of transplantation on left atrial (LA) function. In our study, we aimed to compare LA function between RT and hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 75 consecutive patients with RT, and 75 age- and gender-matched patients on maintenance hemodialysis. LA strain and strain rate (SR) analyzed by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) were compared between the groups in addition to standard echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: LA strain during reservoir phase (29.88 ± 5.76% vs 26.11 ± 5.74%, P < .001), LA strain during conduit phase (− 15.28 ± 5.00% vs − 12.92 ± 4.38%, P = .003), and LA strain during contraction phase (− 14.60 ± 3.32% vs − 13.19 ± 3.95%, P = .020) were higher in the transplantation group. Similarly, LA peak SR during reservoir phase (1.54 ± 0.33 s(− 1) vs 1.32 ± 0.33 s(− 1), P < .001), LA peak SR during conduit phase (− 1.47 ± 0.49 s(− 1) vs − 1.12 ± 0.42 s(− 1), P < .001), and LA peak SR during contraction phase (− 2.13 ± 0.46 s(− 1) vs − 1.83 ± 0.58 s(− 1), P = .001) were higher in the transplantation group as well. CONCLUSIONS: LA function assessed by 2D STE was better in RT patients than hemodialysis patients. This may suggest favorable effects of RT on LA function.