Left Atrial Remodeling and Response to Valsartan in the Prevention
Transcription
Left Atrial Remodeling and Response to Valsartan in the Prevention
Left Atrial Remodeling and Response to Valsartan in the Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation: The GISSI-AF Echocardiographic Substudy Staszewsky et al: LA Remodeling in AF and Valsartan Lidia Staszewsky, MD1, Maylene Wong, MD1, Serge Masson, PhD1, Elena Raimondi, MSc1, Silvana Gramenzi, MD2, Gianni Proietti, MD3, Dario Bicego, MD4, Carlo Emanuelli, MD5, Giancarlo Pulitanò, MD6, Filippo Taddei, MD7, Enrico B. Nicolis, MSc1, Ernesto Correale, MD8, Gianna Fabbri, MD9, Federico Bertocchi, MD10, Maria Grazia Franzosi, Biol D1, Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Aldo P. Maggioni, MD9, Gianni Tognoni, MD11, Marcello Disertori, MD12, Roberto Latini, MD1, on behalf of GISSI-AF Investigators* 1 Department of Cardiovascular Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche acollog ogic icchee ““Mario Mar Negri”, Milan, Ma Italy; 2 Ospedale Fatebenefratelli nefratelli e Oftalmico, Division of Cardiology, Milan, Italy; 3Azienda USL 4, Cardiology Unit, Terni, Italy; 4Ospedale Nuovo Girolamo Fracastoro, Cardiology Unit, U San Bonifacio, Italy; 5Division of Cardiology, i iology, Presidio Ospedaliero di Cremona, Italy; 6POL Mado Madonna della Consolazione, Reggio Calabria, C Italy; 7Ospedale Riuniti, Cardiology Unit, Cardiovascular Cardiovaa Department, Bergamo, Italy; 8Azienda d Ospedaliera d li Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano, b i Cardiology di l Unit, i Caserta, Italy; 9 ANMCO Research Center, Florence, Italy; 10Novartis Italy SpA, Origgio, Italy; 11Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Chieti, Italy; 12Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Santa Chiara, Trento, Italy. * A complete list of the investigators who participated in the echocardiographic substudy is presented in the appendix. This work was presented in part at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, (Circulation 2009;20S-385 and Circulation, 2010; 122: A14269). Correspondence to: Lidia Staszewsky, Department of Cardiovascular Research, Istituto “Mario Negri”, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy. Phone +39 239014508, Fax: +39 233200049, email: [email protected] Journal Subject Codes: arrhythmias, secondary prevention, remodeling, echocardiography. Abstract BackgroundʊLeft atrial (LA) dilatation precedes or appears early after the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) and factors in perpetuating the arrhythmia. Angiotensin receptor blockers were proposed for reversing LA remodeling. We evaluated the effect of valsartan on LA remodeling in patients with a recent episode of AF and the effect of LA size on AF recurrence (AFr). Methods and ResultsʊLA and left ventricular (LV) echocardiographic variables were measured at Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 baseline, 6 and 12 months in 340 patients from GISSI-AF, a trial testing valsartan prevention of AFr. ver 12 months. months thss. Changes in patients Reversal of remodeling was considered as a decrease in LA size over AF Fr were weree aanalyzed. nnaaly with and without recurrence and the relationship to duration of AFr Patients were t history of hypertension (85.3%) and cardioversion in th th h previous 2 weeks 68.4±8.8 years-old, with the t previous 6 months (40.4%). Baseline LA maximal volu u (87.4%), or 2 AFr in the volume (LAVmax) was 0 ml/m2), LV dimensions and function were relatively normal. norm m Over 12 months severely increased (>40 54.4% of patients had AFr. LAVmax was unchanged by rhythm, time or randomized treatment. Higher baseline LAVmax and lower LA emptying fraction (LAEF) were linearly related to increasing AFr duration during follow-up. ConclusionsʊGISSI-AF patients in sinus rhythm and history of AF showed severely increased LAVmax with mostly normal LV volume, mass, systolic and diastolic function. Valsartan for 1 year did not reverse LA remodeling or prevent AFr. Since half of the patients without AFr had severe LA dilatation, mechanisms other than structural remodeling triggered recurrence. Clinical Trial RegistrationʊURL: http:///www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00376272. Key Words: atrial fibrillation; remodeling; left atrium; echocardiography; clinical trial Abbreviations AF=atrial fibrillation AFr=atrial fibrillation recurrence ARB=angiotensin receptor blockers BP=blood pressure BSA=body surface area Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Echo=echocardiographic Infarto Miocar arrd - Atrial GISSI-AF = Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infarto Miocardico Fibrillation LA=left atrium ing fraction LAEF=left atrial emptying LAV=left atrial volume LAVmax=left atrial maximal volume LAVmin=left atrial minimum volume. The hypothesis that long-term renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition could reverse the LA remodeling process and, thereby contribute to the prevention of AFr, was formally tested in the doubleblind randomized ”Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infarto Miocardico - Atrial Fibrillation” (GISSI-AF) trial (1-2). The entirely neutral results of the study were somewhat surprising (3), given the wealth of positive evidence. Data from experimental AF implicated RAS in the remodeling associated with atrial electrical heterogeneity and abnormal conduction, and atrial Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis (4,5). In contrast RAS inhibitors attenuated the progression of atrial fibrosis, shortened AF duration and improved LA function (6-8). Molecular studies of atrial samples in sin i II II receptors rece re cept ce ptor pt orss tthat promoted or patients with persistent AF showed up-regulated ACE and angiotensin structural and electrical remodeling of the atrium (9). n nical trials in patients with left ventricular dysfunction show w that ACE Post-hoc analyses of clinical showed s receptor blockers (ARBs) reduced the onset of new AF (1 sin 1 inhibitors and angiotensin (10-11) and in i ffollowing ll i cardioversion di i off paroxysmall and d persistent i prospective studies of patients AF, RAS inhibitors in addition to amiodarone prevented recurrences of AF (12). We report the results from the GISSI-AF echo study that explored whether the expected effect of valsartan to reverse LA remodeling would prevent AF recurrences. In addition LAV and LV anatomy and function were assessed to estimate left ventricular resistance to LA emptying. Methods The GISSI-AF trial, was a double-blind randomized placebo controlled multicenter study that enrolled 1442 patients in sinus rhythm with a history of AF to test whether the ARB valsartan could reduce the recurrence of AF (see Expanded Methods - Patients in the GISSI-AF main study - in the Online Data Supplements). The primary end points were time to the first recurrence of AF and the proportion of patients who had more than one episode of AF over the 1-year observation period. In the echocardiographic substudy, 340 patients (24% of the GISSI-AF population) were enrolled at 33 sites that were qualified by the central core laboratory to record echocardiograms according to a prespecified protocol (see Echocardiography in the Online Data Supplements). The study was approved by institutional review committees and subjects gave informed consent. Heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were measured before performing the echo exams. The recordings Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 were acquired on CD or videotape and sent to the core laboratory for centralized reading with Medimatic’s software, (Genova, Italy). Centralized Reading Measurements were repeated p peated (3 times for sinus rhythm, 5 times for AF) and followe followed e the American n and European Societies of Echocardiography recommendations (13). Atrial and ven ventricular chamber dimensions were indexed by body surface area. Since LA volumes calculated from the apical 2 and 4 chamber views (2APCH, 4APCH) resulted in similar values (14), the reported LA volumes were measured from only 4APCH view which was also the most consistently recorded and produced the most complete serial recordings. The within-reader reproducibility for LAVmax was analyzed from the difference between duplicate measurements versus the mean measurement for each, and calculated as the limits of agreement (mean difference±1.96 x SD). Reproducibility was also estimated from the measurement error as within-subject SD, expressed as repeatability (2.77 x measurement error) (15). Data from 50 randomly selected patients showed reproducibility for LAVmax as -0.03±1.98 mL and repeatability, 3.95 mL. Detection of AF recurrence AF recurrence was detected by the transtelephonic transmission of ECG signals sent weekly, during symptomatic episodes and during the follow up visits to the primary physician and to the Coordinating Center. Each event was adjudicated blindly by a central reader and was verified by an ad-hoc committee (2). Statistical Methods Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 The effects of treatments were analyzed according to intention to treat. Continuous variables were expressed as mean±SD or as medians [Q1-Q3], when required. Categorical variables were reported as rouups iin n ba base seli se linn characteristics li absolute numbers and percentages. Differences between treatment groups baseline f continuous variables and by chi-square test for categorica a variables. were assessed by t test for categorical t time to first recurrence of AF were identified by univariat th t analysis and Variables associated with univariate o ortional s multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The covariates age, gender, >2 epis episodes of AF in the 6 d successful f l cardioversion di i in i the h 2 weeks k bbefore f d months before enrollment and randomization were considered in the multivariable models. The prognostic value of each echocardiographic variable was evaluated separately. Changes of echocardiografic variables from baseline to 12 months follow up were normally distributed, therefore analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate differences in changes between valsartan and placebo groups after adjustment for their respective baseline value. For LAVmin index and LAEF the model was further adjusted for LAVmax index entered as a continuous variable. LA volumes showed a non-normal distribution therefore a log transformation was applied. Within-patient changes in LA volumes and LAEF over time for patients with and without AFr were compared by a repeated measures-analysis of variance (“proc mixed”), where AFr was considered according to its time of recurrence (0-6 months and >6-12 months). The total duration of AFr over 1 year was obtained by summing the number of days of each episode for each patient. A categorical variable was entered by tertiles of days of AF duration for patients with AFr and a separate category for patients without AFr. The association between LA volumes at baseline and at 12 months with the total duration of AFr were evaluated by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA), testing for trend across tertiles whenever statistically significant associations emerged. Differences in LA volumes and LAEF as least squares means from baseline to 12 months by categories of duration of AF, adjusted for their respective Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 baseline value were tested using ANCOVA. To determine the variables independently related to LAVmax>40ml/m l/m2, univariate tee and a multivariable epis ep issod odes es of of AF in the previous stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusting for: 2 episodes 6 months, cardioversion n in previous 2 weeks from randomization, duration of last qu qualifying u episode of atrial fibrillation >7 days, y heart failure, LVEF<40%, or both, anticoagulants, amiod ys, amiodarone, statins and aspirin as concomitant treatments, t ECG LV hypertrophy and hemoglobin. All P values were two-tailed and a value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The statistical analyses were done with SAS software (version 9.1). Sample Size The sample size calculation for the quantitative outcome was based on an expected absolute reduction of LAVmax of at least 6.7±20 mL (mean±SD) between valsartan and placebo groups at 12 months. The number of patients per group required to have a power of 80% with a two-sided alpha error equal to 0.05, assuming a drop-out rate of 30% (due to inadequate quality of echocardiograms and /or missing examinations) was calculated to be 200 (2). Results Patient Data The mean age of the 340 patients studied at baseline, was 68.4±8.8 years (±SD), 36.2% were women, and 85.3% had been hypertensive for 6 months. The date of the first episode of AF in the patients clinical history, was known in 262/340 (77%) of the subjects and the median time between the onset of the arrhythmia to randomization was 12 months (range 6 days to 31 years). At least 2 episodes of AF in Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 the previous 6 months were experienced by 40.4% of the patients, 87.4% were cardioverted in the Therre were w no differences previous 2 weeks and in 39.7% the duration of the last episode was >7 days. There lace la cebo ce bo ((Table Tabb 1) except for the Ta in baseline characteristics of the patients randomized to valsartan or to pplacebo o stroke in the treatment group (p=0.03). Compared to the no o more common history of no-Echo cohort l in the echocardiographic substudy had higher, prevalenc lled c of HF, LVEF<40 (n=1102), patients enrolled prevalence y disease, peripheral embolism, were more frequently curren n smokers, had or both, peripheral artery current higher heart rate, were more likely to have a QRS >120 ms and were less treated with ACE inhibitors (See Additional Table in the Online Data Supplements). Echo Data At baseline, mean LAVmax was severely increased, 43.1r15.0 ml/m2 (normal LAVmax/BSA: <29 mL/ m2).ҏ LA minimal volume was moderately increased 23.4r12.3 ml/m2 and LAEF was slightly to moderately depressed 47.6r13.2%. LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes and ejection fraction were within normal ranges while meanrSD wall thickness was slightly increased 10.9r1.4mm (normal for men: 6-10mm) and LV mass was normal, 81.2r17.7 g/m2 (normal for men: 52-102 g/m2). While the mean values for Doppler mitral flow variables were normal, 36 % of patients showed abnormal E/A, 28% and 48% an abnormal DT and/or IVRT, respectively. In 128/340 patients with both, peak mitral E velocities and tissue Doppler mitral annular velocities the mean septal E/e' was 12.4r8.2 (normal: 8). Thirty seven percent of patients had mild mitral regurgitation, 15.0% moderate, 3% severe and 45% no regurgitation. Echo Variables: Baseline and 12 Month by Treatment Group None of the Echo variables were affected by valsartan treatment from baseline to 12 months (Table 2). Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 These results were confirmed in a per-protocol analysis done in the 252 patients (88%) who took the study drug for at least 80% days of observation. The lack of effect off valsartan on LAVmin and on nL tation onn (covariate (co cova vari va riat ri aatte LAVmax, LAEF over time was found to be independent of baseline atrial dilatation ANCOVA: p=0.34 and 0.20 respectively). u umes To determine if LA volumes were influenced by the number of patients developing recurrences of AF n rhythm at the end of the study (n=221) were analyzed separately nus see over time, patients in sinus and did not show any effect of treatment on LA dimensions and function (data not shown). AF Recurrences. AF recurred in 54% of the patients during the one year follow up. AF recurrence was associated with a history of 2 episodes of AF in the previous 6 months (p=0.0004). The median number of recurrences per patient was 2 [1-4] with an overall median duration of 19.5 [4-95] days over 12 months. Half of the AF recurrences took place within the first 2 months. Predictors of AFr were baseline LAVmin as increases in 1 mL/m2 increments, (HR, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.01 to 1.03, p=0.003) and LAEF, as decreases in 1% units (HR, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.00 to 1.03, p=0.01). Left Atrial Volumes: With and Without AF Recurrences. LA volumes and LAEF according to rhythm and time are summarized in Table 3 for combined treatment groups. Baseline, 6 and 12 month data were available in 256/340 patients (75%). At baseline, patients without AFr and with early AFr (0-6 months) had similar LAVmax that did not change significantly over time. Patients with late AFr (>6-12 months) had smaller LAVmax compared to the other two groups, although differences were not statistically significant. Patients with early AFr (0-6 months) tended to have larger LAVmin and smaller LAEF than the other two groups. Independent of Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 AFr, LA function improved over 12 months (more evident in the first 6 months) as shown by a decrease in LAVmin (p=0.04) and an increase in LAEF, (p=0.0001).. Left Atrial Volumes: Duration D of AF Recurrence n to the duration of AF recurrence are summarized in Table 4 and Figure 1. LA variables in relation Patients with AFr were grouped into tertiles of number of days in recurrent AF overr one year follow up (T1: 1-6, T2:7-58; T359 days). Increasing days of AFr duration were linearly related to increasing baseline LA volumes (p<0.0001) and decreasing LAEF (p<0.0001). Of note patients who remained in sinus rhythm had larger baseline volumes and lower LAEF than patients with the shortest AFr duration of 1-6 days. An analysis of patients with severely increased LAV (40mL/m2) but without AFr, showed a lower rate of 2 episodes of AF in the previous 6 months and fewer smokers than pts with 1 AFr (all p<0.05). Changes from baseline to 12 months across AF duration categories were not significant for LA volumes, but resulted statistically significant for LAEF (Figure 2). LA Maximal Volume: Associated Independent Variables The independent factors associated with LAVmax 40 mL/m2 were: last qualifying episode of AF >7 days vs. 7days (OR, 4.16; 95% CI 2.42-7.15; p=<0.0001), ECG LV hypertrophy present vs. absent (OR, 4.65; 95% CI 1.86-11.62; p=0.001), older age by one year (OR, 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p=0.01) and decreased hemoglobin by 1g/dL (OR, 1.26; 95% CI 1.04-1.51; p=0.02). Discussion The findings of the GISSI-AF echo substudy were consistent with the main trial which found that 320 mg daily of valsartan for 1 year did not reduce the incidence of recurrent AF. The substudy showed in Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 addition that treatment had no effect on left atrial volumes and function in patients with or without AF recurrence. Earlier experimental evidence implicating the RAS in the he LA remodeli remodeling liin process (4,5) and, n and ndd ffun u ct un c io ionn w the reversal of the fibrosis and improvement in electrical conduction function with angiotensin receptor blocker and ACE C inhibition (6-8), were supported by clinical studies that showed CE shh a significant reduction in recurrence of AF (10-12). Why did ARB treatment fail to reverse LA re remodeling e in g risk for AF recurrence with qualifying cardiovascular cri gh GISSI-AF patients at high criteria? The main trial revealed that of the 2 entry criteria, history of AF and at least one cardiovascular condition, 85% had only hypertension for 6 months as the other criteria (Table 1). Thus, GISSI-AF patients were unlike those in successful ARB trials of preventing AF recurrence who were mainly in heart failure (11). Only 10% of our patients had a positive history of heart failure or LVEF of <40%. The echocardiographic results further substantiated the absence of overt left ventricular disease. LV ejection fraction was normal as was LV end-diastolic volume and mass and Doppler variables of LV diastolic function. The only exceptions were the minimal increases in LV wall thickness and in E/e’ ratio. Therefore, this apparent normality in LV structure and function may partly explain the lack of beneficial effects of the ARB valsartan. LA remodeling or dilatation appears to progress over time depending on the underlying cardiovascular disease (17-18) or on the arrhythmia itself (19). While LA volume reflects an average effect of LV filling pressures over time (20-21), the LA volumes were severely increased in the face of only minimal increase in LV wall thickness. On further analysis 25 to 48% of patients exceeded the normal range of Doppler diastolic measurements and specifically 25% recorded a septal E/e' ratio 15, a value associated with increased LV filling pressures (22). Nevertheless, with the majority of patients demonstrating normal LV volumes, mass and standard filling velocities, AF itself appears to be the Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 dominant mechanism for LA remodeling (19). ilat il atat at atio at io on? L What were the quantitative consequences of recurrent AF alone on LA ddilatation? LA volumes were severely dilated to a mean an of 40 ml/m2; however, the degree of dilatation is not un unheard n of and similar LA volumes have been reported in small AF ablation studies (23). Further findings of severe LA dilatation were that the volumes v were unalterable not only to ARB treatment, but al also unchangeable over time, independent of rhythm, intermittent sinus rhythm and time to first AFr. Finally, with recurrent AF, the larger the LA volume, the more prolonged are the episodes of future AFr (Figure 2), a changing perspective on "AF begets AF through LA remodeling". The question this study raises: Is there left atrial remodeling beyond which there is no reversibility and inevitable progression of recurrent AF to chronic AF? Perhaps of some encouragement, although LAVmax was unchanged, LA function did respond during the one year by significantly increasing LAEF and decreasing LAVmin (Table 3). A possible explanation is that 87% of the patients had been cardioverted within 2 weeks before randomization. Parallel evidence from experimental AF demonstrated that loss of atrial contractility after cardioversion is followed by a partial or full functional recovery even though the amount of fibrosis persists (24-25). However, improvement in LA function in our study was limited (Table 4, Figure 2) and did not occur in patients with the longest AFr duration of 59 days. The data again imply that there is a limit to LA dilatation beyond which the atrium is no longer responsive to a pharmacologic intervention or, less likely, that a longer exposure is necessary to achieve a therapeutic response (3).The neutral results with ARB treatment on atrial remodeling, independent of the severely dilated LAVmax at baseline offer little optimism for a trial of more prolonged ARB therapy. Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 The relation between LA volume and AF in patients with cardiovascular disease is complex and few data are available regarding LA dimensions measured over time in such patients (2 (26 (26-27). 6 The GISSITablle 2)) and andd as as hhypertension is a AF patients were predominantly hypertensive with controlled BP (Table significant risk factor for o AF (28) and predictor of LA size (18) our results suggest that or t any BP in the presence of recurrent AF F is too high and should be treated, an hypothesis yet to be ttested (29). w that an increase of 10 mmHg in BP, increased the risk off AF independently wed Prediction models showed of age, sex, and ECG LV hypertrophy (30). Belluzzi et al. (31) credibly demonstrated that targeting systolic BP between 130 and 139 mmHg with ramipril in patients with lone AF and normal LA and LV structures, reduced the risk of AF recurrence. Initiating hypertensive treatment in patients with AF when systolic BP exceeds 120 mm Hg has been proposed (29) in particular with anti-RAS therapies (28-32). Besides using LA size as a target organ for the aggressive treatment of BP in managing AF, the availability of newer drugs and procedures will also have to prove their effectiveness. Measuring LAVs will be central to selecting patients, tailoring treatment and evaluating outcomes for this challenging rhythm. Conclusions In our study population, mainly hypertensive with severely dilated left atria, valsartan treatment for 1 year had no effect on reversing LA remodeling. LAVmax did not vary over time in patients with and without AF recurrence and pointed out that advanced atrial remodeling has a low probability of reversal. The degree of remodeling at baseline was strongly and linearly related to the duration of future AF recurrences and possibly affected the time to the first AF recurrence. Patients without recurrence also had severely enlarged LAVmax (>40 mL/m2) indicating that mechanisms other than Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 structural remodeling underlie recurring AF. Some of our incidental findings called attention to specific arch in unders rsta t ta factors in AF mechanisms that underscored the need for further research understanding AF pathogenesis. Acknowledgments We thank all patients, nurses and cardiologists who participated in the echocardiographic GISSI-AF substudy, Maria Amigoni, MD for her help in preparing the substudy proposal, Simona Barlera, MSc, Donata Lucci, MSc and Chiara Favero, MSc for statistical advice and Mrs. Alessandra Carnaghi for secretarial assistance. Sources of Funding Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 The GISSI Studies as well as the present substudy are supported by Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri (ANMCO) and by Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri. Funding ct of tthe he ttrial, rial ri al,, th al tthe h collection, was provided by Novartis, which had no role in the design or conduct o of the data, or the writing of the report. on analysis, or interpretation Disclosures k Maggioni, i i Franzosi, i Tognonii and d Disertori i Drs. Latini, Masson, Wong, Staszewsky, received institutional research support or honoraria from Novartis Pharma. Dr. Bertocchi is an employee of Novartis Italy SpA. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. References 1. GISSI-AF Investigators, Valsartan for prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2009; 360:1606-1617. 2. 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Jeevanantham V, Ntim W, Navaneethan SD, Shah S, Johnson AC, Hall B, Shah A,Hundley WG, Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Daubert JP, Fitzgerald D. Meta-analysis of the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial size, volumes and function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 2010; 105:13171326. 24. Logan WF, Rowlands d DJ, Howitt G, Holmes AM. Left Atrial Activity Followin ds Following n Cardioversion. Lancet. 1965; 2:471-473. -473. 25. Allessie MA, Boyden PA PA, C Camm AJ AJ, Kléb Kléber AG AG, L Lab b MJ MJ, L Legato t MJ MJ, R Rosen M MR, Schwartz PJ, Spooner PM, Van Wagoner DR, Waldo AL. Pathophysiology and prevention of atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2001; 103:769-777. 26. Sanfilippo AJ, Abascal VM, Sheehan M, Oertel LB, Harrigan P, Hughes RA, Weyman AE. Atrial enlargement as a consequence of atrial fibrillation. A prospective echocardiographic study. Circulation. 1990; 82:792-797. 27. Mattioli AV, Sansoni S, Lucchi GR, Mattioli G. Serial evaluation of left atrial dimension after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and relation to atrial function. Am J Cardiol. 2000; 85:832-836. 28. European Heart Rhythm Association; European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, Lip GY, Schotten U, Savelieva I, Ernst S, Van Gelder IC, Al-Attar N, Hindricks G, Prendergast B, Heidbuchel H, Alfieri O, Angelini A, Atar D, Colonna P, De Caterina R, De Sutter J, Goette A, Gorenek B, Heldal M, Hohloser SH, Kolh P, Le Heuzey JY, Ponikowski P, Rutten FH; ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines, Vahanian A, Auricchio A, Bax J, Ceconi C, Dean V, Filippatos G, Funck-Brentano C, Hobbs R, Kearney P, McDonagh T, Popescu BA, Reiner Z, Sechtem U, Sirnes PA, Tendera M, Vardas PE, Widimsky P; Document Reviewers, Vardas PE, Agladze V, Aliot E, Balabanski T, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, Capucci A, Crijns H, Dahlöf B, Folliguet T, Glikson M, Goethals M, Gulba DC, Ho SY, Klautz RJ, Kose S, McMurray J, Perrone Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Filardi P, Raatikainen P, Salvador MJ, Schalij MJ, Shpektor A, Sousa J, Stepinska J, Uuetoa H, Zamorano JL, Zupan I. Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: the hee Task Force for the ardiiol o og gy (ESC). (ESC (E SC) Europace. 2010; SC Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology 12:1360-1420. 29. Wachtell K. Atrial fibrillation, f maybe it is not so lone? J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009 2009; 9 53:30-31. 30. Wachtell K, Lehto M, Gerdts E, Olsen MH, Hornestam B, Dahlöf B, Ibsen H, Julius S, Kjeldsen SE, Lindholm LH, Nieminen MS, Devereux RB. Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces newonset atrial fibrillation and subsequent stroke compared to atenolol: the Losartan Intervention For End Point Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 45:712-719. 31. Belluzzi F, Sernesi L, Preti P, Salinaro F, Fonte ML, Perlini S. Prevention of recurrent lone atrial fibrillation by the angiotensin-II converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in normotensive patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009; 53:24-29. 32. Kirchhof P, Bax J, Blomstrom-Lundquist C, Calkins H, Camm AJ, Cappato R, Cosio F, Crijns H, Diener HC, Goette A, Israel CW, Kuck KH, Lip GY, Nattel S, Page RL, Ravens U, Schotten U, Steinbeck G, Vardas P, Waldo A, Wegscheider K, Willems S, Breithardt G. Early and comprehensive management of atrial fibrillation: executive summary of the proceedings from the 2nd AFNET-EHRA consensus conference 'research perspectives in AF'. Eur Heart J. 2009; 30:2969-2977. Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Table 1. Baseline Clinical and ECG Characteristics Characteristics Valsartan N=171 68.1±8.8 68 (39.8) 28.0±4.1 Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Age-yr Females - no.(%) Body-mass index - Kg/m2 Blood pressure - mmHg Systolic 136.4±15.3 Diastolic 81.1±8.1 Inclusion criteria - no.(%) 2 episodes of AF in previous 6 mo 70 (41.2) Cardioversion in previous 2 wk 151 (88.3) Duration of last qualifying episode of AF >7 66 (38.6) days Heart failure, LVEF<40%, or both 18 (10.5) History of hypertension for 6 mo or more 144 (84.2) Diabetes mellitus 22 (12.9) History of stroke 11 (6.4) (6. ) Peripheral artery disease ase 14 (8.2) Documented coronary artery disease 23 (13.5) Atrial fibrillation alonee 23 (13.5) Coexisting conditions - no.(%) Peripheral embolism 3 (1.8) Previous transient ischemic h hemic attack 11 (6.4) Renal dysfunction 5 (2.9) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 15 (8.8) Neoplasia 5 (2.9) Current smoker 12 (7.0) Electrocardiographic findings at randomization Heart rate - bpm 62.1±10.2 QRS interval>120 msec - no.(%) 18 (10.5) Left ventricular hypertrophy - no. (%) 20 (11.7) Pathologic Q waves - no. (%) 5 (2.9) Concomitant cardiovascular therapies - no. (%) Amiodarone 69 (40.4) Sotalol 11 (6.4) Class I antiarrhythmic agents 60 (35.1) ACE inhibitors 87 (50.9) Calcium-channel blockers 49 (28.7) Beta-blockers 50 (29.2) Digitalis 10 (5.9) Diuretics 68 (39.8) Aldosterone blockers 11 (6.4) Statins 50 (29.2) Oral anticoagulants 102 (59.7) Aspirin 42 (24.6) AF = atrial fibrillation; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction. Placebo N= 169 68.6±8.8 55 (32.5) 27.5±4.2 139.6±16.9 81.2±8.5 66 (39.5) 146 (86.4) 69 (40.8) 18 (10.7) 1146 46 ((86.4) 86.4 86 .4)) .4 27 ((16.0) 16.0 16 .00) 3 (1.8) (1.8) 8) 7 (4.1) 15 (8.9) 24 (14.2) 3 (1.8) 3 (1.8) 5 (3.0) 18 (10.7) 6 (3.6) 18 (10.7) 62.1±9.5 22 (13.0) 15 (8.9) 5 (3.0) 60 (35.5) 14 (8.3) 56 (33.1) 86 (50.9) 53 (31.4) 42 (24.9) 7 (4.1) 59 (34.9) 12 (7.1) 40 (23.7) 104 (61.5) 46 (27.2) Table 2. Echocardiographic Variables at Baseline and 12 Months (n=286 patients) Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 SBP (mmHg) Valsartan Placebo DBP (mmHg) Valsartan Placebo Heart rate (bpm) Valsartan Placebo LAVmax /BSA (mL/m2) Valsartan Placebo LAVmin/BSA (mL/m2) Valsartan Placebo LAEF (%) Valsartan Placebo LVTH (mm) Valsartan Placebo LVmass/BSA (g/m2) Valsartan Placebo LVEDV/BSA (mL/m2) Valsartan Placebo LVESV/BSA (mL/m2) Valsartan Placebo LVEF (%) Valsartan Placebo E /A Valsartan Placebo DT (ms) Valsartan Placebo IVRT (ms) Valsartan Placebo E/e’ Valsartan Baseline 12 months Change 137±16 140±18 137±18 139±19 -0.4±1.4 -0.5±1.4 Treatment* 0.97 0.26 81±9 82±9 80±9 82±9 -1.1±0.7 0.0±0.7 64±10 63±10 65±11 65±12 1.3±0.9 1.1±0.9 42.6±15.5 41.9±14.6 42.2±14.7 41.4±14.5 -0.7±0.8 -0.1±0.8 0.94 0.58 0.34 23.4±12.9 22.5±11.6 22.4±12.6 20.6±10.9 -1 -1.0±0.7 1.0 .0±0 ±0.7 ±0 .7 -2.0±0.7 -2.0±0 ±0.7 ±0 .7 47.7±13.5 47.9±12.6 50.5±13.0 51.7±12.4 2.3±0.9 4.1±0.9 11.0 ±1.5 10.7 ±1.4 10.9 ±1.4 10.6 ±1.6 0.0±0.1 -0.2±0.1 0.16 0.33 0.96 81.3±17.9 78.3±16.6 80.0±16.9 75.7±17.7 -1.6±1.2 -1.6±1.2 52.8±16.9 52.6±14.5 52.3±15.0 52.8±14.9 -0.6±0.8 0.8±0.8 22.4±13.3 21.4±12.1 20.6 ±12.1 21.1±11.1 -1.8±0.6 -0.6±0.5 0.20 0.14 0.19 59.6±12.7 60.5±12.3 62.2±12.0 61.5±11.3 2.4±0.7 1.2±0.7 1.3±0.8 1.3±0.8 1.2±0.8 1.1±0.6 0.0±0.1 -0.2±0.1 194±56.0 202±60.0 194±57.0 204±56.0 -3.4±4.8 5.1±4.7 0.09 0.21 0.23 87±22.0 88±22.0 87±24.0 90±24.0 -2.1±2.2 1.7±2.3 12.5±10.9 13.2±7.3 1.7±0.7 0.09 Placebo 12.2±5.3 11.8±5.2 0.0±0.7 HR=heart rate, SBP= systolic blood pressure, DBP= diastolic blood pressure; LAVmax/BSA= left atrial maximal volume index, LAVmin/BSA= left atrial minimum volume index, LAEF=left atrial emptying fraction, LVTH: left ventricular wall thickness, LVEDV/BSA= left ventricular end diastolic volume index, LVESV/BSA= left ventricular end systolic volume index, LVEF= left ventricular ejection fraction, E/A = early to late diastolic mitral inflow, DT= deceleration time, IVRT= isovolumetric relaxation time, E/e’= early diastolic mitral inflow velocity/early diastolic septal mitral annular relaxation velocity (available in 90/286 patients). Data are means±SD. Changes are least squares means±SEMҠҏ*: ”ANCOVA” used to evaluate differences in changes from baseline to 12 months follow-up between valsartan and placebo groups after adjustment for variables value at baseline. Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Table 3. Time Course of Echocardiographic Variables According to the Time of First Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation. Patients with no AF recurrence (n=109) Patients with AF recurrence 0-6 mos (n=115) Baseline 6 months 12 months Patients with AF recurrence >6-12 mos (n=32) Baseline 6 months 12 months P value* Time Baseline 6 months 12 months LAVmax/B SA (mL/m2) 40.7±12.3 41.8±13.0 40.5±13.6 44.7±15. 8 44.3±15.2 44.2±14.5 38.3±13.3 38.7±11.6 37.5±13.3 0.42 Time*AF recurrenc e 0.78 LAV min/BSA (mL/m2) LAEF (%) 21.3±10.3 20.2±9.9 19.8±10.6 25.8±13. 3 23.7±13.0 23.9±12.0 19.4±9.0 19.0±7.7 18.5±10.8 0.04 0.67 48.8±12.4 52.8±11.4 52.9±11.1 45.4±13. 45 4±13 3 49.3±13.8 49 3±13 8 48.7±13.6 48 7±13 6 49.5±12.2 49 9 5±12 5 12 2 52.3±11.4 53.0±13.3 0.0001 0.83 Data are means±SDҠҏ Abbreviations (see Table 2 legend). n *: Repeated measures ANOVA. nd). Table 4. Left Atrial Volumes and Emptying Fraction Relative to Duration of AF Recurrence Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 LAVmax/BSA (mL/m2) Baseline 12 months 41.7±14.5 41.1±14.5 LAVmin/BSA (mL/m2) Baseline 12 months 22.0±11.5 20.2±11.1 LAEF (%) Baseline 12 months 48.8±12.3 52.5±11.1 No AF (n=113) AF recurrence duration (days) 35.4±14.0 35.7±14.4 17.2±9.6 17.0±9.8 53.9±12.3 54.9±11.6 Tertile 1 [1-6) (n=44) 44.0±15.8 44.1±14.8 24.3±13.2 22.2±12.2 47.2±12.8 52.9±11.1 Tertile 2 [7-58) (n=44) 49.7±14.2 48.5±13.1 31.0±13.0 29.6±12.4 40.1±13.5 41.6±14.1 Tertile 3 (59) (n=44) <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0 <0 .0 000 0011 <0.0001 ANOVA* <0.0001 0.0001 01 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 Trend ° Data are means±SD. Abbreviations (see Tablee 2 legend).*: ANOVA p value, °: trend p valuee Figure Legends Figure 1. Baseline Left Atrial Volumes and Duration of AF Recurrence Data are means±SD. Tertiles of AF recurrence duration: Tertile 1= 0-7 days, tertile 2= 7-58 days, tertile 3 59 days. LAVmax/BSA= left atrial maximal volume , LAVmin/BSA= left atrial minimum volume, LAEF= left atrial emptying fraction. Linear trend for all variables (p<0.0001). F and P values are calculated by ANOVA. Grey areas represent normal mean values±SD (from references 13 and 16). Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Figure 2. Changes in Left Atrial Variables Relative to Rhythm and Duration of AF Recurrence Data are least square means (LS)±SEM to assess changes in LAV and nd LA LAEF EF bbetween etwe et we baseline and 12 months in patients with no AF recurrence and with recurrences in days of duration. Tertile 1= 0-6 days, t 3 59 days. Variables are adjusted for baseline values. F tile tertile 2= 7-58 days, tertile For linear trend, A p=0.004, calculated by ANCOVA. Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Downloaded from http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/ by guest on November 1, 2016 Left Atrial Remodeling and Response to Valsartan in the Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation: The GISSI-AF Echocardiographic Substudy Lidia Staszewsky, Maylene Wong, Serge Masson, Elena Raimondi, Silvana Gramenzi, Gianni Proietti, Dario Bicego, Carlo Emanuelli, Giancarlo Pulitanò, Filippo Taddei, Enrico B. Nicolis, Ernesto Correale, Gianna Fabbri, Federico Bertocchi, Maria Grazia Franzosi, Aldo P. Maggioni, Gianni Tognoni, Marcello Disertori and Roberto Latini Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. published online September 16, 2011; Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 Copyright © 2011 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1941-9651. Online ISSN: 1942-0080 The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the World Wide Web at: http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/content/early/2011/09/16/CIRCIMAGING.111.965954 Data Supplement (unedited) at: http://circimaging.ahajournals.org/content/suppl/2011/09/16/CIRCIMAGING.111.965954.DC1.html Permissions: Requests for permissions to reproduce figures, tables, or portions of articles originally published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging can be obtained via RightsLink, a service of the Copyright Clearance Center, not the Editorial Office. Once the online version of the published article for which permission is being requested is located, click Request Permissions in the middle column of the Web page under Services. Further information about this process is available in the Permissions and Rights Question and Answer document. Reprints: Information about reprints can be found online at: http://www.lww.com/reprints Subscriptions: Information about subscribing to Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging is online at: http://circimaging.ahajournals.org//subscriptions/ SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL Supplemental methods: Patients in the GISSI-AF main study: inclusion criteria were two or more episodes of symptomatic ECG-documented AF in the previous 6 months or successful cardioversion, electrical or pharmacological between 48 hours and 14 days before randomization). Patients had to have one of the following conditions: heart failure or a history of documented left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%), history of hypertension for 6 months or longer, type 2 diabetes, a history of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease or lone atrial fibrillation with left atrial dilatation (left atrial diameter of >45 mm in men and >40 mm in women). All participants had been on a stable regimen of treatment for AF and of any underlying cardiovascular disorder for at least 1 month before enrollment and were permitted to continue previously prescribed ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and amiodarone. Patients were excluded if they had clinically significant valvular disease; or were scheduled to undergo catheter ablation or implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator. Echocardiography: The recordings were taken in parasternal long-axis and short-axis at the levels of the aortic valve, chordae and mid papillary muscle, and apical two and fourchamber views. Baseline tracings were recorded at randomization and at 6 and 12 months. The measurements were left atrial (LA) diameters, maximal LA volume (before mitral valve opening) and minimal LA volume (after atrial contraction), LA total emptying fraction [maximal–minimal LA volumes/maximal LA volume] (LAEF), left ventricular (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, LV end-diastolic mean wall thickness and, LV mass (2D method) (1). All patients had Pulsed-wave Doppler recordings of mitral inflow velocities and pulmonary venous flow waveforms to measure, transmitral early diastolic velocity (peak E wave) late diastolic velocity (peak A wave), E/A ratio, deceleration time of E velocity (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), pulmonary systolic, diastolic and CIRCCVIM/2011/965954_R2 1 reversed atrial flow. The values out of the normal range according to age groups (41-60 and >60 years) (2) were considered for the identification of patients with abnormal mitral inflow velocities and time intervals, Tissue Doppler recordings were provided by 19 sites with sufficient technical and recording capabilities. Peak E wave velocities from four apical chamber transmitral inflow and diastolic relaxation e’ velocities from mitral septal and lateral annular tissue Doppler were combined to derive E/e’. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was measured as regurgitant area/LA area in the apical view displaying the largest regurgitant area and was graded: mild (5-20%), moderate (>20 -<40%), and severe (≥40%) an eccentric jet increased the degree of MR by 1 grade (3). References 1. Lang RM, Bierig M, Devereux RB, Flachskampf FA, Foster E, Pellikka PA, Picard MH, Roman MJ, Seward J, Shanewise JS, Solomon SD, Spencer KT, Sutton MS, Stewart WJ; Chamber Quantification Writing Group; American Society of Echocardiography's Guidelines and Standards Committee; European Association of Echocardiography. Recommendations for chamber quantification: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography's Guidelines and Standards Committee and the Chamber Quantification Writing Group, developed in conjunction with the European Association of Echocardiography, a branch of the European Society of Cardiology. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2005;18: 1440-1463. 2. Nagueh SF, Appleton CP, Gillebert TC, Marino PN, Oh JK, Smiseth OA, Waggoner AD, Flachskampf FA, Pellikka PA, Evangelista A. Recommendations for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2009; 22:107-133. 3. Helmcke F, Nanda NC, Hsiung MC, Soto B, Adey CK, Goyal RG, Gatewood RP Jr. Color Doppler assessment of mitral regurgitation with orthogonal planes. Circulation 1987; 75: 175-183. CIRCCVIM/2011/965954_R2 2 APPENDIX Participating Centers and Investigators Switzerland - Lugano (E. Pasotti). Italy - Bagno a Ripoli (A. Fantini), Bari Carbonara (N. D’Amato), Bergamo (A. Gavazzi, F. Taddei), Bovolone (G. Rigatelli, S. Boni), Catania (M. Gulizia, G. Francese), Catanzaro (F. Perticone), Città di Castello (D. Severini), Cremona (S. Pirelli, C. Emanuelli), Fidenza (P. Pastori), Firenze (GM. Santoro, C. Minneci), Napoli Federico II (M. Prastaro), Palermo Cervello (L. Buffa), Pavia (R. Rordorf), Pesaro (A. Pierantozzi), Pietra Ligure (A. Nicolino), Reggio Calabria (G. Pulitanò, A. Ruggeri), Roma Sant’Andrea (L. De Biase, S. Cangianiello), Saluzzo (P. Allemano), San Bonifacio (R. Rossi, D. Bicego), San Daniele del Friuli (L. Mos, O. Vriz), Sarzana (R. Petacchi, D. Bertoli), Terni (M. Bernardinangeli, Gianni. Proietti, M. Gagliardi), Trento Villa Bianca (G. Cioffi, E. Buczkowska), Trento Santa Chiara (M. Disertori, P. Zeni), Varese (F. Caravati). CIRCCVIM/2011/965954_R2 3 Supplemental Table: Baseline Clinical and ECG Characteristics in Echo-Cohort and Non Echo-Cohort patients Characteristics Echo-cohort N=340 § 68.4±8.8 Non-Echo cohort N=1110 67.6±9.4 123 (36.2) 421 (38.2) 0.50 27.7±4.2 27.9±4.4 0.57 138.0±16.2 81.2±8.3 138.8±17.0 81.7±8.9 0.46 0.33 136 (40.4) 297 (87.4) 135 (39.7) 36 (10.6) 290 (85.3) 49 (14.4) 14 (4.1) 445 (42.2) 979 (88.8) 328 (29.8) 78 (7.1) 941 (85.4) 162 (14.7) 45 (4.1) 0.59 0.45 0.001 0.04 0.97 0.89 0.98 Peripheral artery disease Documented coronary artery disease Atrial fibrillation alone Coexisting conditions - no.(%) 21 (6.2) 38 (11.2) 47 (13.8) 38 (3.5) 141 (12.8) 125 (11.3) 0.03 0.43 0.22 Peripheral embolism Previous transient ischemic attack 6 (1.8) 15 (4.4) 4 (0.4) 39 (3.5) 0.01 0.46 10 (2.9) 33 (9.7) 11 (3.2) 30 (8.8) 30 (2.7) 73 (6.6) 34 (3.1) 91 (8.3) 0.83 0.06 0.89 0.05 62.1±9.8 40 (11.8) 35 (10.3) 64.1±10.7 87 (7.9) 96 (8.7) 0.003 0.03 0.38 Age-yr Female sex - no.(%) 2 Body-mass index - Kg/m Blood pressure - mmHg Systolic Diastolic Inclusion criteria - no.(%) ≥2 episodes of AF in previous 6 mo Cardioversion in previous 2 wk Duration of last qualifying episode of AF >7 days Heart failure, LVEF<40%, or both History of hypertension for 6 mo or more Diabetes mellitus History of stroke Renal dysfunction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Neoplasia Current smoker Electrocardiographic findings at randomization Heart rate - bpm QRS interval>120 msec - no.(%) Left ventricular hypertrophy - no. (%) P value 0.20 Pathologic Q waves - no. (%) 10 (2.9) 53 (4.8) 0.14 Concomitant cardiovascular therapies - no. (%) Amiodarone 129 (37.9) 372 (33.8) 0.16 Sotalol 25 (7.4) 75 (6.81) 0.73 Class I antiarrhythmic agents 116 (34.1) 351 (31.9) 0.44 ACE inhibitors 173 (50.9) 649 (58.9) 0.009 Calcium-channel blockers 102 (30.0) 326 (29.6) 0.88 Beta-blockers 92 (27.1) 344 (31.2) 0.14 Digitalis 17 (5.0) 46 (4.2) 0.51 Diuretics 127 (37.4) 405 (36.8) 0.84 Aldosterone blockers 23 (6.8) 69 (6.3) 0.74 Statins 90 (26.5) 278 (25.2) 0.65 Oral anticoagulants 206 (60.6) 609 (55.3) 0.08 Aspirin 88 (25.9) 307 (27.9) 0.48 § AF = atrial fibrillation; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction . P value compare Eco-cohort to Non-Echo cohort CIRCCVIM/2011/965954_R2 4