Abstract
The size and function of the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) are related closely with the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, their normal reference values, as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), are not well established in Chinese populations. Healthy Chinese subjects (n = 135, 66 males, age 23–83 years) without cardiovascular risk factors were recruited. We imaged the LA and RA of all subjects using short axis and long axis slices by steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences using a 3.0T scanner. The size and functional parameters were measured. Age and gender differences in LA were further explored. The normal reference values of atrial dimensions, volumes, and empty fractions (EFs) were provided by short axis (SAX) and area-length methods. Volumes and EFs derived by the area-length method showed correlated well with those derived by the by SAX method, but significantly underestimated the volumes (all P < 0.001) and overestimated the LA EFs (all P < 0.001). Atrial dimensions and volumes were generally larger in males. Conduit EFs and total EFs showed gender differences. Most atrial parameters correlated with age. In general, our results showed that gender and age have considerable impact on LA and RA size and function.
Highlights
The left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) are reservoirs, and have active emptying functions that contribute 15–30% of ventricular filling[1, 2]
The present study provided comprehensive reference values for the atrial size and function by steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence in a population of healthy Chinese volunteers with a wide age range
In addition to providing normal reference standard values, we found that the left or right atrial volume measured by area-length method was considerably lower than that produced by the short axis (SAX) volume method, and gender and age have a considerable impact on atrial phasic function, especially on the conduit emptying function and booster pump function
Summary
The left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) are reservoirs, and have active emptying functions that contribute 15–30% of ventricular filling[1, 2]. LA impairment increases with age[3, 4], and in diseases such as hypertension[5], heart failure[6], atrial fibrillation[7], hypertrophic cardiomyopathy[8], and amyloidosis[9]. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography has been used to evaluate LA dimension and size, and the newer three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has improved the accuracy of measurement of the atrial volume. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has advantages in the evaluation of atrial size and phasic function compared with echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CT)[1, 18, 19]. CMR can provide accurate measurements of dimension, volume, and structure of the atria, with high temporal and spatial resolution. We aimed to provide the normal reference values for the Chinese population and study the impact of gender and age on atrial size and function
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