Yildirim, NesligulTulmac, MuratSimsek, VedatDogru, Mehmet TolgaEbinc, HaksunGuzel, MuratEser, Ozer2020-06-252020-06-252012closedAccess1594-06671720-8319https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325255https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12587/5262Background and aims: The aim of our study was to investigate the potential effect of natural aging on atrial fibrillation (AF) by means of electrocardiographic P-wave analysis and measurement of the transthoracic echocardiographic electromechanical coupling interval (EMC). Methods: The study comprised 25 healthy individuals aged >= 65 years (group 1) and 25 control subjects <65 years (group 2). The difference between maximum (Pmax) and minimum (Pmin) P-wave durations on 12-lead electrocardiography were defined as P-wave dispersion (PD). Intra- and inter-atrial EMC were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Results: Pmax (107.2 +/- 3.58 msec vs 100.0 +/- 3.56 msec, p<0.001) and PD (43.6 +/- 4.98 msec vs 36.5 +/- 3.56 msec, p<0.001) were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. Left atrial EMC [24.6 (15.20) vs 13.3 (4.50), p<0.001] and inter-atrial EMC [43.2 (16.05) vs 33.3 (4.75), p<0.001] were significantly delayed in group 1 compared with group 2. There was a significant correlation between left atrial diameter, PD, Pmax, left atrial EMC, and inter-atrial EMC. Conclusion: Aging is correlated with increased left atrial size and impaired diastolic relaxation, which may contribute to a greater risk of AF in terms of prolonged PD and atrial EMC. (C)2012, Editrice Kurtiseninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessElderlyelectromechanical delayP-wave dispersionArticle24326526910.1007/BF033252552-s2.0-8486863136023114553Q1WOS:000326838400007Q4