Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay and P-wave dispersion in patients with psoriasis.

Background: In this study, we sought to evaluate atrial electromechanical properties and conduction homogeneity by tissue Doppler imaging and electrocardiography in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with psoriasis and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical coupling intervals were assessed by means of tissue Doppler echocardiography and P-wave dispersion (Pd) was calculated from electrocardiogram.

Results: A total of 64 subjects (33 male) with a mean age of 36.8 ± 11.9 years were included in the study. Basal characteristics were similar between 2 groups. Intra-atrial (15 ± 7 ms vs. 12 ± 5 ms, P = 0.009) and inter-atrial (28 ± 7 ms vs. 23 ± 7 ms, P = 0.002) electromechanical delays were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis compared with control groups. P-maximum (112 ± 16 ms vs. 103 ± 8 ms, P = 0.006) and Pd (35 ± 9 ms vs. 20 ± 6 ms, P < 0.001) were also prolonged in patients with psoriasis.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and P-wave dispersion were prolonged in patients with psoriasis, which may cause an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in this patient group.