P854Association of PR interval with echocardiographic parameters and biomarkers: insights from the LIFE-adult-study

Abstract

Both long (>200 ms) and short PR intervals (<120 ms) are associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, we demonstrated association between PR interval prolongation and hsTroponin T, indicating subclinical cardiac impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PR interval, echocardiographic parameters and blood markers of cardiac stress, myocardial damage and inflammation. Method(s): The LIFE-Adult-Study is a population-based cohort study, which has recently completed the baseline examination of 10.000 randomly selected participants from Leipzig, a major city with 550.000 inhabitants in Germany. In the current cross-sectional analysis, individuals >=40 years with no overt heart disease, sinus rhythm in ECG, no history of AF or antiarrhythmic drugs (including beta blockers) and available laboratory data (hsTropT, NT-proBNP, hsCRP) were included. Result(s): The study population comprised 950 individuals (median age 52 (IQR 46-62) years, 40% males) with complete ECG, echocardiographic and laboratory data. The prevalence of individuals with short and long PR intervals was low (64 individuals (6.7%) and 32 (3.4%), respectively). There was significant correlation between PR interval and hsTropT levels (r2= -0.065, p=0.046). However, the difference between hsTropT levels in individuals with short, normal and long PR interval (median 3.2 vs 3.8 vs 4.8 pg/ml, p=0.083) did not reach significance. In univariable logistic analysis, short PR interval was associated with gender, LA diameter and EF, but none of the biomarkers. In multivariable analysis, short PR interval remained significantly associated with female gender (OR 2.689, 95% CI 1.346-5.374, p=0.005) and lower EF (OR 0.944, 95% CI 0.900-0.990, p=0.018). Analyzing associations with long PR interval, age, gender, LA>40 mm, and hsTropT were significantly associated with PR prolongation. However, in multivariable analysis, only age (OR 1.047, 95% CI 1.009-1.087, p=0.016) and LA (OR 2.499, 95% CI 1.199-5.211, p=0.015) demonstrated significant association. Conclusion(s): In healthy individuals, larger LA is associated with PR interval prolongation, while lower EF - with short PR interval. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess their association with AF.