Evaluation of The Relationship Between Atrial Fibrillation Patients and The Echocardiographic Findings of Iraqi Patients

Rusul Mahdi  Abid

doi:10.17605/cajmns.v6i4.2927

Rusul Mahdi Abid Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Thi Qar University, Medical College, Thi Qar, Iraq; Iraqi Ministry of Health, Thi Qar Health Directorate, Al-Nasiriyah Teaching Hospital, Thi Qar, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v6i4.2927

Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation, Echocardiography, Atrial Dilation, Ventricular Dysfunction, Thromboembolic Risk, Structural Cardiac Abnormalities, Atrial Size, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Valvular Disease, Risk Stratification

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, primarily due to thromboembolic events. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with AF and to identify key structural predictors associated with disease progression and thromboembolic risk. A cross-sectional observational design was employed, including 120 patients diagnosed with AF at Iraqi hospitals between January 2024 and March 2025. Data collection included demographic information, clinical history, and echocardiographic parameters such as left atrial (LA) size, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and valvular status. The cohort had a mean age of 65 ± 10 years with a male predominance of 65%. Hypertension and heart failure were the most common comorbidities, affecting 70% and 40% of patients, respectively. Echocardiographic assessment showed LA dilation in 62.5% of cases, which was significantly correlated with persistent and permanent AF (p<0.01). Reduced LVEF (≤50%) was observed in 35% of patients and was associated with longer AF duration (p<0.05). Atrial thrombi were detected in 10% of cases, with larger LA size (>45 mm) and reduced LVEF identified as significant predictors (p<0.01). Additionally, valvular abnormalities contributed to atrial structural remodeling and increased thromboembolic risk. These findings highlight the importance of echocardiographic assessment in predicting disease progression and guiding targeted management strategies for AF patients. Structural cardiac abnormalities, notably atrial dilation and ventricular dysfunction, are strongly associated with AF progression and thromboembolic risk.

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