Brian D Hoit1,2. 1. Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA. bdh6@case.edu. 2. Harrington Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106-5038, USA. bdh6@case.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current status of measuring left atrial functions with echocardiography and the ability of atrial functional analysis to predict cardiovascular outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: An increasing body of data suggests that left atrium (LA) function assessed with echocardiography provides incremental prognostic information in general and referral populations, and in patients with atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and ischemic and valvular heart disease. In addition to volumetric analysis and spectral and tissue Doppler, deformational (strain and strain rate) imaging has most recently been used to assess LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions and predict cardiovascular events. Studies of LA function provide new insights into the contribution of LA performance to cardiovascular disease and are promising tools for predicting cardiovascular events in healthy subjects and patients with heart disease. However, robust clinical outcome data from large prospective outcome trials are needed to confirm the incremental predictive ability of these LA functional measures before they are widely accepted.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current status of measuring left atrial functions with echocardiography and the ability of atrial functional analysis to predict cardiovascular outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: An increasing body of data suggests that left atrium (LA) function assessed with echocardiography provides incremental prognostic information in general and referral populations, and in patients with atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and ischemic and valvular heart disease. In addition to volumetric analysis and spectral and tissue Doppler, deformational (strain and strain rate) imaging has most recently been used to assess LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions and predict cardiovascular events. Studies of LA function provide new insights into the contribution of LA performance to cardiovascular disease and are promising tools for predicting cardiovascular events in healthy subjects and patients with heart disease. However, robust clinical outcome data from large prospective outcome trials are needed to confirm the incremental predictive ability of these LA functional measures before they are widely accepted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cardiovascular outcomes; LA strain; Left atrial function; Speckle-tracking echocardiography; Tissue Doppler imaging
Authors: M Louisa Antoni; Ellen A ten Brinke; Jael Z Atary; Nina Ajmone Marsan; Eduard R Holman; Martin J Schalij; Jeroen J Bax; Victoria Delgado Journal: Heart Date: 2011-05-25 Impact factor: 5.994
Authors: Mei Wang; Gabriel W K Yip; Angela Y M Wang; Yan Zhang; Pik Yuk Ho; Mui Kiu Tse; Peggo K W Lam; John E Sanderson Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2003-03-05 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Talhat Azemi; Vimal M Rabdiya; Srilatha R Ayirala; Louise D McCullough; David I Silverman Journal: J Am Soc Echocardiogr Date: 2012-10-12 Impact factor: 5.251