Three methods for evaluation of left atrial volume.
OBJECTIVE
To compare and contrast 3 different echocardiographic methods used to measure left atrial (LA) volume: biplane area length (AL), biplane modified Simpson (SIMP), and prolate ellipse (PE) methods.


RESULTS
A review of consecutive patients who presented to our outpatient echocardiography laboratory for a resting transthoracic study between April 2006 and May 2006 was performed. Echocardiograms were reexamined and LA volume measured using the AL, SIMP, and PE methods. Of 102 consecutive patients evaluated, 97 had a measure of LA volume using all 3 methods. A significant difference in the measurement of mean +/- SD LA volume was noted among the 3 different methods: 37 +/- 16 mL/m(2) for AL, 34 +/- 14 mL/m(2) for SIMP, and 27 +/- 12 mL/m(2) for PE. The PE method yielded routinely smaller values compared with either the AL or SIMP method (P < 0.001). Differences increased with increased LA volume. The SIMP method derived consistently smaller (<5 mL/m(2)) values than those of the AL method, consistent across the full range of LA volumes.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences exist among these 3 commonly used methods for measuring LA volume. Standardization of the measurement of LA volume is recommended.
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
Panupong
P
Jiamsripong
Tadaaki
T
Honda
Christina S
CS
Reuss
R Todd
RT
Hurst
Hari P
HP
Chaliki
Diane E
DE
Grill
Stephen L
SL
Schneck
Rochelle
R
Tyler
Bijoy K
BK
Khandheria
Steven J
SJ
Lester
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography