Assessment of Atrial Electromechanical Delay and Left Atrial Mechanical Functions in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 615 - 622
• Main Authors: Aksan, Gökhan, Nar, Gökay, Soylu, Korhan, İnci, Sinan, Yuksel, Serkan, Serra Ocal, Hande, Pancar Yuksel, Esra, Gulel, Okan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Adult; atrial electromechanical delay; atrial fibrillation; Atrial Function, Left; Excitation Contraction Coupling; Female; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Heart Conduction System - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Myocardial Contraction; Psoriasis - diagnostic imaging; Psoriasis - physiopathology; psoriasis vulgaris; Ultrasonography; atrial electromechanical delay; psoriasis vulgaris; atrial fibrillation
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.12706

Objectives Increased frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated in psoriasis cases. Prolongation of the duration of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) is a well‐known characteristic of the atrium, which is vulnerable to AF. In the current study, our aims are to investigate AEMD durations and mechanical functions of the left atrium (LA) in patients with psoriasis. Methods A total of 90 patients, 45 with psoriasis vulgaris and 45 as the control group, were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) and intra‐ and inter‐atrial electromechanical delay (IA‐AEMD) were measured with tissue Doppler echocardiography. P‐wave dispersion (PWD) was calculated from the 12‐lead electrocardiogram. The severity of the disease was evaluated by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Results The durations of PA lateral and PA septal were significantly high in the psoriasis group when compared with the control group (47.7 ± 9.8 vs. 57.1 ± 8.4 msec, P < 0.001 and 38.6 ± 9.9 vs. 43.6 ± 8 msec, P = 0.016, respectively). The durations of IA‐AEMD, intra‐right electromechanical delay, and intra‐left electromechanical delay in the psoriasis group were significantly prolonged compared with the control group (15.2 ± 4.1 vs. 21.7 ± 5.6 msec, P < 0.001; 6 ± 2.5 vs. 8.7 ± 2.7 msec, P < 0.001; and 9.1 ± 3.9 vs. 13.5 ± 5.2 msec, P < 0.001; respectively). PWD was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis vulgaris compared with controls (36.1 ± 7.9 vs. 40.2 ± 9.1 msec, P = 0.043). Conclusion In the present study, we found prolongation in the durations of AEMD and PWD in the psoriasis group compared with the control group. These results might be an early predictor of AF and other arrhythmias.