Evaluation of Left Atrial Size and Function: Relevance for Clinical Practice

Abstract

Left atrial (LA) structural and functional evaluation have recently emerged as powerful biomarkers for adverse events in a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Moreover, noninvasive evaluation of LA pressure has gained importance in the characterization of the hemodynamic profile of patients. This review describes the methodology, benefits and pitfalls of measuring LA size and function by echocardiography and provides a brief overview of the prognostic utility of newer echocardiographic metrics of LA geometry and function (i.e., three-dimensional volumes, longitudinal strain, and phasic function parameters).

Keywords: Left atrium; Maximal volume; Minimal volumes; Noninvasive LA pressure; Phasic function; Speckle-tracking echocardiography; Three-dimensional echocardiography; Tissue Doppler echocardiography; Two-dimensional echocardiography.