Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases stroke and mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Cardiac MRI (CMR) is increasingly used to detect late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as a reliable indicator of left ventricular fibrosis, a potential predisposing factor of AF. Our research explored the correlation between left ventricular LGE and AF prevalence in HCM.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 351 HCM patients who underwent CMR. LGE percentages (0%, 1-5%, 6-14%, ≥15%) on CMR were compared with AF prevalence in HCM patients. Demographic, comorbidity, and imaging data were analyzed using appropriate univariate and multivariate analyses assessing for significant differences in AF prevalence. The predetermined significance level was p < 0.05.
Results: CMR demonstrated increased LGE in those with AF (p = 0.004). Increased LGE correlated with increased AF rates: 27.6% (0% LGE), 38.5% (1-5% LGE), 44.4% (6-14% LGE), and 54.7% (≥15% LGE) (p = 0.101, p = 0.043, p = 0.002, respectively, vs. 0% LGE). Adjusted for age, differences persisted and were most evident for LGE >15% (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis, factoring age, gender, BMI, RVSP, and LVEF, supported LGE (odds ratio of 1.20, p = 0.036) and LAVI (odds ratio 1.05, 1.02-1.07, p < 0.001) as predictive markers for AF prevalence.
Conclusions: Our study suggests a correlation between ventricular LGE and AF in patients with HCM. LGE exceeding 15% was associated with a significant increase in AF prevalence. These patients may require more frequent AF monitoring.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; Late gadolinium enhancement; Left atrial volume index.
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