Normal Ranges of Left Atrial Strain and 3D Echocardiographic Volume Measurements in Türkiye

Normal Ranges of Left Atrial Strain and 3D Echocardiography in Türkiye

Abstract

Objective

Clinical importance of left atrial (LA) remodelling and function has been shown in various cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The left atrial dimension and volume index are the current recommended parameters for evaluation of LA. Speckle tracking echocardiography makes it possible to evaluate physio-mechanics of the LA method and threedimensional echocardiography have been shown to provide robust calculations of LA volume. However, there is still a lack of reference values regarding the LA longitudinal strain (LS) and 3 dimensional volumetric measurements in Turkey. Thus, we sought to investigate and determine normal references for mentioned echocardiographic methodologies by examining healthy individuals.

Methods

The echocardiographic data of one-hundred and forty-six volunteers without known cardiovascular pathologies were analysed. 3-dimensional volume measurements and left atrial longitidunal strain of reservoir, conduit and contraction phase were investigated. Trigger points were placed on the R waves on the electrocrocardiogram as suggested by the recent recommendations.

Results

Our study revealed a normal reference range for LA reservoir LS (40% (95% CI, 38%– 43%), for LA conduit LS (24% (95% CI, 22%–26%), for LA contraction phase LS (16% (95% CI, 13%–18%) and for 3dimensional maximal LA volume of 28 ml/m2. (95% CI, 25-32).

Conclusion

We have provided normal reference ranges for the phasic LA LS and 3-dimensional volume measurements. Having normal reference ranges for Turkish population carries importance as regional difference can occur.