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Association of left atrial enlargement with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction: a tissue Doppler

Cesare Cuspidi1, Francesca Negri, Carla Sala

  • 1Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy. cesare.cuspidi@unimib.it

Blood Pressure
|October 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is common in patients without heart disease and linked to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction. Early detection of LAE can identify high-risk individuals for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Prevalence and correlates of LAE in individuals without overt cardiac disease are not well-established.
  • Echocardiography is a primary tool for assessing cardiac structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of LAE in patients undergoing echocardiography for routine indications.
  • To investigate the relationship between LAE, left ventricular (LV) mass, and LV diastolic function.
  • To identify correlates of LAE in a cohort with preserved LV systolic function.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive echo-Doppler examination was performed on 1104 subjects.
  • Left atrial enlargement (LAE) was defined as LA volume index (LAVI) >29 ml/m(2).
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction were assessed using established echocardiographic parameters.

Main Results:

  • 10% of subjects exhibited LAE, while 46% had LVH.
  • LVH prevalence increased with higher LAVI quartiles.
  • LAE was significantly associated with LV mass index, age, and diastolic function indices (E/Ei ratio, Ei).

Conclusions:

  • LAE is a frequent finding in patients with preserved systolic function.
  • LAE is strongly associated with LVH and diastolic dysfunction.
  • Early identification of LAE may aid in stratifying cardiovascular risk and guiding preventive strategies.
Abstract

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