Left atrial volume and strain parameters using echocardiography in a black population.

Abstract

Left atrial (LA) volume is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular disease. Left atrial strain is a feasible technique for assessing LA function. The EchoNoRMAL study recently highlighted the possibility that ethnic-based differences may exist in LA size. There is a paucity of data regarding LA parameters in an African population. We sought to establish normative values for LA volumetric and strain parameters in a black population. This cross-sectional study comprised 120 individuals between 18 and 70 years of age. Left atrial volumes were measured by biplane Simpson's method, and strain parameters were measured using Philips QLAB 9 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) speckle-tracking software. The mean age was 38.7 ± 12.8 years (50% male). Maximum LA volume indexed (LAVi), pre-atrial LAVi, and minimum LAVi were 19.7 ± 5.9, 12.2 ± 4.4, and 7.7 ± 3.2 mL/m2, respectively. Females had a higher LAVi compared with males (20.9 ± 6.3 vs. 18.6 ± 5.3 mL/m2, P = 0.04). Peak global longitudinal strain in the reservoir phase (ɛR) was 39.0 ± 8.3%, and the peak LA strain in the contractile phase (ɛCT) was -2.7 ± 2.5%. No gender differences were noted in ɛR. Body surface area, age, and weight were the main determinants of ɛR on multivariate linear regression analysis. The data reported in this study establish the normal reference values for phasic LA volumes and strain in a normal black population and serve as a platform for future studies.