title: Left atrial volume index predictive of mortality independent of left ventricular geometry in a large clinical cohort with preserved ejection fraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect on mortality of the left atrial volume index (LAVI) and left ventricular (LV) geometry (normal, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy).
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2006, we evaluated 36,561 patients with preserved ejection fraction with an average follow-up of 1.7±1.0 years. The LAVI was categorized as normal (≤28 mL/m(2)) or increased (mild, 29-33 mL/m(2); moderate, 34-39 mL/m(2); severe, ≥40 mL/m(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Progressive increases in LAVI and mortality were noted with abnormal LV geometry. Similarly, abnormal LV geometry and mortality were significantly higher in patients with increased LAVI. In patients who died vs surviving patients, the LAVI ± SD was significantly higher (33.0±14.8 vs 28.1±10.8 mL/m(2); P<.001) and abnormal LV geometry was significantly more prevalent (62% vs 44%; P<.001). Compared with those with a normal LAVI, patients with a severe LAVI had a 42% increased risk of mortality. In patients with normal LV geometry or concentric remodeling, a severe LAVI was a significant independent predictor of mortality, with an increased risk of 28% and 46%, respectively. Similarly, in patients with eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy, the mortality risk in patients with a severe LAVI was twice that of patients with a normal LAVI. Comparison of area under the curve (0.565 [without LAVI] vs 0.596 [with LAVI]; P<.001] and predictive models with and without LAVI for mortality prediction were significant, indicating increased mortality prediction by the addition of LAVI to other independent predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LAVI significantly predicts mortality risk, independent of LV geometry, and adds to the overall mortality prediction in a large cohort of patients with preserved systolic function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute and Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
authors.forename: Dharmendrakumar A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: Richard V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.forename: Hector O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Ventura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002306:Cardiac Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling