Relationship between left atrial stiffness, pulmonary congestion, and impaired aerobic capacity in adults with repaired coarctation of aorta
Authors' conclusion
These data suggest a mechanistic link between LA stiffness, pulmonary congestion, and exercise intolerance among patients with COA, and the correlates of LA stiffness index may provide viable targets for therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with repaired coarctation of aorta (COA) and controlsrepaired COA 46 · controls 46
- Participants
- 46 vs 46
- Exposure
- Adults with COA compared to controls
- COAn = 46
- Controlsn = 46
- Outcome
- LA stiffness index (E/e'/LARS)
- Follow-up
- At rest
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
COA
0.47
± 0.12
Controls
0.14
± 0.09
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cardiac reserve, pulmonary congestion, and aerobic capacity
- Worse cardiac reserve, pulmonary congestion, and aerobic capacity compared to controls
Cardiac reserve, pulmonary congestion, and aerobic capacity by left atrial (LA) stiffness index within COA group (subgroup)
- Those with high LA stiffness index (>0.42) had worse cardiac reserve, pulmonary congestion, and aerobic capacity
Correlates of LA stiffness index
- High pulsatile left ventricular (LV) afterload, LV hypertrophy, and atrial fibrillation
Original publication
Relationship between left atrial stiffness, pulmonary congestion, and impaired aerobic capacity in adults with repaired coarctation of aorta. Am Heart J. Published 21 August 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it