MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (4/01/2025) — A research team from the University of Minnesota Medical School has identified a strong predictor of ischemic stroke and dementia, a discovery that could lead to improved patient outcomes. The findings were recently published in Stroke.
The team focused on identifying which marker of left atrial myopathy — defined as dysfunction of the left atrium of the heart — is the most reliable predictor of ischemic stroke and dementia. Their research revealed that the left atrium's ability to stretch was the most accurate predictor.
“Our research offers meaningful improvement in risk prediction beyond traditional clinical factors,” said Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS, professor at the U of M Medical School, cardiac electrophysiologist with M Health Fairview, and director of the Lillehei Heart Institute. “Our findings suggest doctors could use this measurement to identify patients who are at higher risk and might need closer monitoring or preventive treatment.”
In a study of more than 4,700 older adults over eight years, researchers tracked who developed stroke and dementia. They tested several measurements related to left atrial heart function to see if any could better predict these conditions. Among all the measurements tested, only two showed significant improvement in prediction accuracy when added to the standard risk assessment tool doctors typically use: the ability of the left atrium to stretch and a blood protein marker (NT-proBNP). The ability of the left atrium to distend — also known as the left atrial reservoir strain — was the best predictor of stroke and dementia.
Dr. Chen and his collaborators plan to conduct a multi-center clinical trial to determine whether oral anticoagulants — commonly known as blood thinners — can reduce the risk of stroke and dementia in people with left atrial myopathy. They will use left atrial reservoir strain to define atrial myopathy.
This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health [R01HL141288].
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About the University of Minnesota Medical School
The University of Minnesota Medical School is at the forefront of learning and discovery, transforming medical care and educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates and faculty produce high-impact biomedical research and advance the practice of medicine. We acknowledge that the U of M Medical School is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of the Dakota and the Ojibwe, and scores of other Indigenous people, and we affirm our commitment to tribal communities and their sovereignty as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with tribal nations. For more information about the U of M Medical School, please visit med.umn.edu.
Journal
Stroke
Method of Research
Data/statistical analysis
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Markers of Left Atrial Myopathy: Prognostic Usefulness for Ischemic Stroke and Dementia in People in Sinus Rhythm
Article Publication Date
7-Mar-2025
COI Statement
W. Wang is funded by the grant T32 HL007779. Dr Eaton is funded by grants R01 HL126637, R01 HL141288, and RF1 NS127266. Dr Passman has served on advisory boards for Medtronic, Abbott, and Janssen; received research support from Abbott, American Heart Association, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and royalties from UpToDate. Dr Solomon received research grants from Actelion, Alnylam, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bellerophon, Bayer, BMS, Celladon, Cytokinetics, Eidos, Gilead, GSK, Ionis, Lilly, Mesoblast, MyoKardia, NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NeuroTronik, Novartis, NovoNordisk, Respicardia, Sanofi Pasteur, Theracos, and US2.AI and has consulted for Abbott, Action, Akros, Alnylam, Amgen, Arena, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Cardior, Cardurion, Corvia, Cytokinetics, Daiichi Sankyo, GSK, Lilly, Merck, Myokardia, Novartis, Roche, Theracos, Quantum Genomics, Cardurion, Janssen, Cardiac Dimensions, Tenaya, Sanofi Pasteur, Dinaqor, Tremeau, CellProthera, Moderna, American Regent, and Sarepta. Dr Shah is funded by grants R01HL160025, R01HL148218, R01HL150342, R01HL143224, R01HL135008, and K24HL152008; received research grants from Novartis Pharma, Philips Ultrasound; and has consulted for Philips Ultrasound and Janssen Pharma. Dr De Caterina received research grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, BMS/Pfizer, and Daiichi Sankyo; has consulted for Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, BMS/Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis, Merck, Portola, Roche, AstraZeneca, Menarini, Guidotti, Milestone, Amarin, and Noventure; received honoraria or lecture fees from Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, BMS/Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis, Merck, Portola, Roche, AstraZeneca, Menarini, Guidotti, Milestone, Amarin, and Noventure; received support for attending meetings and travels from Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer, BMS/Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Menarini, and Amarin; and received fees for participating in the Advisory Boards from Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Janssen, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Menarini, Milestone, and Amarin. Dr Chen is funded by grants R01 HL126637, R01 HL 141288-04, RF1 NS127266, RF1 NS135615, K24 HL155813, R01 AG075883, and R01 HL158022. The other authors report no conflicts.