Atrial cardiomyopathy in postmenopausal female healthcare professionals – a single-center study

Background: The prevalence of obesity and hypertension among healthcare professionals has been previously described. Both diseases are known risk factors for atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM), a new clinical entity with potential to be a determinant of heart failure, atrial fi brillation and thromboembolic complications. In this perspective, early preventive strategy should be initiated in this special population. Aim: To defi ne ACM in middle-aged women healthcare professionals. Material and methods: Hundred and fi ve middle-aged women healthcare professionals, separated in 3 groups: with central obesity (n = 50,47%), obesity and hypertension (n = 24,23%), healthy control (n = 31,30%), underwent echocardiographic examination with volumetric and speckle-tracking analysis. Results: There were signifi cant differences in LA volumes between 3 groups. LA phasic function was signifi cantly reduced, and LA stiffness index was signifi cantly increased in obese groups compared to control. Higher body mass index was associated with increased LA volume index (p < 0.001, r = 0.56) and with reduced Peak atrial longitudinal strain (p < 0.001, r = -0.59) and Peak atrial contractile strain (p < 0.001, r= -0.56). Conclusion: Postmenopausal women, healthcare professionals with obesity and hypertension are at risk for asymptomatic ACM. Further investigations are needed to confi rm this concept.