Atrial cardiomyopathy – definition, gender differences and imaging methods for diagnosis

Atrial cardiomyopathy is defined as dysfunction of the atria that leads to a compromise in the heart function and to symptoms, which worsen quality of life or lifespan in the absence of significant valvular lesions or ventricular dysfunction. A sex difference in the characteristics and the grade of structural changes in the atria is established. Due to atrial cardiomyopathy heterogeneity, its clinical diagnosis is challenging. To date, there are no standardized criteria for ACM and its diagnosis relates on a complex of methods. The current review presents a definition of atrial cardiomyopathy with its most common etiological factors, reviews the sex difference in the anatomical substrate of the ACM, and discusses the noninvasive imaging modalities for diagnosis of ACM.

Key words: atrial cardiomyopathy, sex differences, atrial remodelling, left atrial strain, cardiac magnetic resonance.

Address for correspondence:
Dr. Radostina Ilieva 
Clinic of Cardiology,
UMBAL “Tsaritsa Yoanna – ISUL” Sofia
phone: 02 9432 297 
e-mail: radostilieva@yahoo.com