Variation evaluation of biometric and sonographic parameters on left atrial strain values

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Speckle tracking echocardiography is an upcoming modality to quantify left atrial function. Left atrial function is disturbed in many disease and left atrial systolic strain (LASr) has already been associated with the prognosis of atrial fibrillation and with the degree of diastolic dysfunction. Some modifying parameters have been identified in relatively small studies. Purpose We aim to assess the influence of known and some unknown biometric and sonographic parameters on LASr values in a large cohort. Methods This prospective cohort study included 211 individuals and assessed general sonographic parameters and LASr. Patients included had normal ejection fraction (≥50%), reasonable image quality with frame rate ≥50FPS and no significant valvular heart disease. The sonographic parameters collected were left ventricular ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and Left atrial volume Index (LAVI). Speckle tracking analysis was done offline by semiautomatic contour detection and R-R gating was used. Results Mean LASr was 35.5 ± 11%. There were significant differences in LASr for age, global longitudinal strain (GLS), left atrial volume Index (LAVI) and vendor (GE versus Philips). LASr was significantly lower in the oldest groups (60–69jr and 70–84jr) and decreasing with progression of LAVI. LASr was significantly lower when the vendor Philips was used compared to GE. Gender was not associated with a change in LASr. Conclusion This study shows a significant influence of ageing, LAVI, GLS and vendor on left atrial strain values. The significant difference in LASr was probably due to a significant difference in frame rate between the two vendors used.