Beta-Blocker Use Is Associated With Impaired Left Atrial Function in Hypertension [Hypertension]

BackgroundImpaired left atrial (LA) mechanical function is present in hypertension and likely contributes to various complications, including atrial arrhythmias, stroke, and heart failure. Various antihypertensive drug classes exert differential effects on central hemodynamics and left ventricular function. However, little is known about their effects on LA function.Methods and ResultsWe studied 212 subjects with hypertension and without heart failure or atrial fibrillation. LA strain was measured from cine steady‐state free‐precession cardiac MRI images using feature‐tracking algorithms. In multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, LA volume, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular ejection fraction, beta‐blocker use was associated with a lower total longitudinal strain (standardized β=−0.21; P=0.008), and lower LA expansion index (standardized β=−0.30; P

Source: JAHA:Journal of the American Heart Association - February 3, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Sardana, M., Syed, A. A., Hashmath, Z., Phan, T. S., Koppula, M. R., Kewan, U., Ahmed, Z., Chandamuri, R., Varakantam, S., Shah, E., Gorz, R., Akers, S. R., Chirinos, J. A. Tags: Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Original Research Source Type: research