title: Reference normal absolute and indexed values from ECG-gated MDCT: left atrial volume, function, and diameter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine CT-based normal reference values of left atrial volume, function, and diameter normalized by age, sex, and body surface area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 74 subjects with normal findings at ECG-gated coronary CT angiography performed with retrospective gating. Analysis of left atrial volume (end-diastolic, end-systolic, and stroke volume) and function (ejection fraction) was performed with the Simpson method. Left atrial diameter was measured in the anteroposterior dimension. General linear model analysis was performed to model the data and assess statistical significance by age group after adjustment for sex and body surface area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reference range for left atrial volume, function, and diameter was normalized (indexed) to age, sex, and body surface area in healthy subjects. A statistically significant difference was noted between left atrial volume and age without adjustment for sex and body surface area, but no statistically significant difference was found after adjustment for these variables. Sex and body surface area had a significant influence on left atrial volume, function, and diameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left atrial volume, function, and diameter normalized to age, sex, and body surface area can be reported from CTA datasets and may provide information important for patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B1-132 Taubman/Box 0302, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0302, USA. jstoanov@umich.edu
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stojanovska
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.forename: Smita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Barry H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oral
authors.forename: Komal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chughtai
authors.forename: Ella A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kazerooni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C044834:iodixanol