Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

Echocardiographic evaluation of left atrial size and function: current understanding, pathophysiologic correlates,

Dominic Y Leung1, Anita Boyd, Arnold A Ng

  • 1Liverpool Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

American Heart Journal
|November 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial (LA) volume is a potential biomarker for heart and cerebrovascular diseases. This review explores echocardiographic methods to assess LA size and function, clarifying its prognostic value.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Left atrial (LA) volume is recognized as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
  • The prognostic implications of LA volume require further clarification.
  • Assessing LA size and function via echocardiography is feasible in routine clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review conventional and novel echocardiographic parameters for evaluating LA size and function.
  • To discuss the clinical relevance and implications of an enlarged left atrium based on current literature.

Main Methods:

  • Discussion of conventional echocardiographic parameters: atrial volume, transmitral Doppler peak A velocity, atrial fraction, and atrial ejection force.
  • Exploration of newer echocardiographic techniques: Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), including segmental atrial function assessment, strain, and strain rate.

Main Results:

  • Conventional methods provide insights into phasic atrial activity and function.
  • Advanced DTI techniques offer detailed assessment of atrial mechanics, including segmental function, strain, and strain rate.
  • An enlarged left atrium is associated with various clinical implications.

Conclusions:

  • Echocardiography offers a range of parameters to evaluate left atrial size and function.
  • Understanding these parameters is crucial for assessing cardiac and cerebrovascular risk.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the prognostic power of LA volume.

More Related Videos

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery08:17

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery

Published on: February 20, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...