Racial difference in atrial size and extracellular matrix homeostatic response to hypertension: Is this a potential mechanism of reduced atrial fibrillation in African Americans?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is less common in African Americans (AA) than Caucasians (C) despite a higher prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension (HTN).

Objective

Test the hypothesis that differences in extracellular matrix (ECM) between AA and C in response to HTN might attenuate atrial enlargement and alter myocardial fibrosis.

Methods

ECM-related plasma biomarkers and echo data were collected from 326 C and 129 AA subjects with no history of AF, stratified by the presence of HTN, HTN with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), or HTN with LVH and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Results

Left atrial size was significantly smaller and the extent of enlargement in the presence of HTN was less in AA despite similar ventricular

SUBMITTER: Badertscher P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8183868 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature