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Left atrial strain: measurement and clinical application.
Jonathan Buggey1, Brian D Hoit1,2
1University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute.
Current Opinion in Cardiology
|June 19, 2018
Summary
Left atrial strain analysis shows promise in diagnosing and managing heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Further validation is needed before routine clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- Left atrial dysfunction is a key indicator in heart failure, especially in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
- Myocardial deformation analysis using strain and strain rate measurements is increasingly applied to the left atrium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on the application of left atrial strain in diagnosing and managing heart failure patients.
- To explore the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of left atrial strain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating left atrial strain.
- Analysis of myocardial deformation via strain and strain rate measurements in the left atrium.
Main Results:
- Left atrial strain aids in diagnosing heart failure and predicting cardiac pressures, diastolic dysfunction, and exercise capacity.
- It is also a predictor of clinical outcomes, including hospitalizations and mortality.
- Limitations include technical challenges in imaging the thin-walled left atrium and a lack of standardized reference values.
Conclusions:
- Left atrial strain is a novel, noninvasive method with potential for diagnosing, prognosing, and managing heart failure.
- While promising, further validation is required for integration into routine clinical practice.
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