Left atrial function and phenotypes in asymmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background Few studies have analyzed changes in left atrial (LA) function associated with different phenotypes of asymmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We sought to demonstrate the association of impairments in LA function with disease phenotype in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive HCM. Methods From Stanford Cardiomyopathy Registry, we randomly selected 50 age‐/sex‐matched healthy controls, 35 patients with nonobstructive HCM (HCM 1), 35 patients with obstructive HCM (HCM 2), and 35 patients with obstructive HCM requiring septal reduction therapy (HCM 3). Echocardiography was performed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) strain as well as LA function including LA emptying fraction and LA strain. Results The mean age was 51±14 years and 57% were male. LA volume index differed among all four predefined groups (25.6±6.7 mL/m 2 in controls, 32.2±13.3 mL/m 2 in HCM 1, 42.0±12.9 mL/m 2 in HCM 2, 52.4±15.2 mL/m 2 for HCM 3, and P <.05 all between groups). All measurement of LA function was impaired in patients with HCM than controls. Total and passive LA function was further impaired in HCM 2 or 3 compared with HCM 1, while active LA function was not different among the three groups. Among LV strains, only septal longitudinal strain differed among all groups (−18.5±1.9% in controls, −14.5±1.9% in HCM 1, −13.3±1.8% in HCM 2, −11.6±2.3% in HCM 3, and P <.05 all between groups). Conclusions LA function was impaired in patients with HCM even in minimally symptomatic nonobstructive phenotype. Total and passive LA function was further impaired in patients with obstructive HCM.