A bedside ultrasound sign of cardiac disease: the left atrium-to-aorta diastolic diameter ratio.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated a simple ultrasound method to detect left atrial (LA) enlargement by comparing the diameters of the LA and aortic root.


METHODS
The LA and aortic diameters, the LA volume index (LAVI), and significant echo findings were analyzed in 101 consecutive echocardiograms. Mean LAVI and the prevalence of an abnormal echo were compared between groups in which the ratio of the LA diameter to aortic diameter in diastole was >1 vs < or = 1.


RESULTS
Left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio increased with LAVI (r = 0.64, P < .001). Left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio >1 vs < or = 1 was noted in 45% vs 55% of patients and had a mean (+ or - SD) LAVI = 39 + or - 12 vs 27 + or - 7 mL/m(2) (P < .001) and a 78% vs 43% prevalence of an abnormal echo (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The left atrium-to-aorta diastolic diameter ratio can detect LA enlargement and may be useful as a quick bedside technique to screen for cardiac disease.
Department of Cardiology, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. kimura.bruce@scrippshealth.org
Bruce J
BJ
Kimura
Eyal
E
Kedar
Danielle E
DE
Weiss
Casey L
CL
Wahlstrom
Donna L
DL
Agan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity