Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):295-301

Evaluation of left atrial functions in familial Mediterranean fever using speckle-tracking echocardiography: a case-control study

Necmettin Korucuka, Veysel Tosunb, Ali Yasar Kilincc, Mustafa Serkan Karakaşd, Refik Emre Altekine, Ibrahim Demirf, Huseyin Yilmazf
a Antalya City Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Antalya, Turkey
b Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
c Department of Cardiology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
d Department of Cardiology, Anatolia Lara Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
e Department of Cardiology, Antalya Memorial Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
f Department of Cardiology, Akdeniz University Medical Faculty, Antalya, Turkey

Objective: It is known that systemic inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent inflammatory processes outside of acute attacks. This inflammatory process contributes to atrial fibrosis, which can lead to impaired left atrial functions. The aim of this study is to investigate the left atrial deformation parameters in FMF patients and compare them with healthy individuals to determine the effect of FMF on left atrial deformation.

Materials and methods: Our study included 40 FMF patients over the age of 18 who were not in an attack period and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A control group of 30 healthy individuals without FMF diagnosis was established. Echocardiographic assessments were performed to measure atrial conduction times, standard 2D conventional examinations, left atrial (LA) mechanical functions, and LA strain values.

Results: No significant difference was found in the baseline demographic characteristics of the patient and control groups. In the FMF group, a prolongation of atrial electromechanical delay times was observed (p <0.05). When comparing the mechanical functions of the LA between the two groups, the maximum left atrial volume index (LAVImax) was found to be higher in patients with FMF (p: 0.039). The analysis of the LA strain values revealed that the average LA strain S (LA S-S) and the average LA strain A (LA S-A) were significantly lower in FMF patients (p: 0.008 and p <0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: The significantly higher atrial electromechanical delay times and the significantly lower LA strain values in FMF patients suggest that this disease may be associated with impairment in LA functions. Evaluating left atrial functions in these patients using speckle tracking strain method, in addition to conventional echocardiographic techniques, may contribute to the monitoring of atrial arrhythmias in this condition.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Echocardiography, Familial Mediterranean fever, Left atrium,

Received: November 16, 2025; Revised: November 26, 2025; Accepted: December 3, 2025; Prepublished online: June 2, 2012; Published: July 1, 2026  Show citation

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Korucuk N, Tosun V, Yasar Kilinc A, Serkan Karakaş M, Altekin RE, Demir I, Yilmaz H. Evaluation of left atrial functions in familial Mediterranean fever using speckle-tracking echocardiography: a case-control study. Cor Vasa. 2026;68(3):295-301.
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