Computed Tomography Confirms Increased Left Atrial Volume in Patients with Bayés Syndrome Referred for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: Bayés syndrome is a recently identified condition that is defined by the presence of an interatrial block on a surface electrocardiogram, in addition to atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, or left atrial flutter. This syndrome is linked to an increased risk of stroke, morbidity, and mortality. An interatrial block is a conduction delay between the right atrium and left atrium and can be recognized by a P wave duration >120 ms. It is known that P wave duration can estimate the size of the left atrium measured via echocardiography, which is a marker for stratifying cardiovascular risk. Our study aims to verify whether the duration of the P wave can estimate the volume of the left atrium measured by computed tomography in patients with an interatrial block. Methods: We included 105 patients with a sinus rhythm and a partial or advanced interatrial block (IAB) who underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT). The mean age was 62.2 ± 10.1 years, and 38% of the patients were women. Results: The mean P wave duration was 122.6 ± 11.4 ms in the partial IAB group and 150 ± 8.4 ms in the advanced IAB group (p p = 0.001). P wave duration was longer in patients with an advanced as opposed to partial interatrial block. Left atrial volume and LAVI were higher in patients with an advanced as opposed to partial interatrial block. Conclusions: All the patients (100%) with an advanced IAB had a dilated left atrium. P wave duration can accurately estimate LA volume in patients with an IAB using the formula: LA volume = 0.6 × P wave + 46 mL.

Keywords

• left atrium
• P wave
• interatrial block
• computed tomography