Left atrial volume: clinical value revisited.

Left atrial (LA) volume and function are robust markers of cardiovascular risks and adverse cardiac outcomes. With advances in imaging technology, including tissue Doppler, strain, and strain rate imaging, we can now determine LA volume and function more precisely and this is anticipated to augment our ability to risk stratify, incremental to clinical risk profiling. There is increasing evidence that LA remodeling is treatable and is reversible. Serial LA volume and function assessment may provide a simple and quantifiable way of determining severity of risk and treatment impact. While reverse LA remodeling is expected to improve cardiac outcomes, data to confirm this remain forthcoming.