title: Novel echocardiographic techniques to assess left atrial size, anatomy and function.
abstract: Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) have recently applied as imaging techniques to accurately evaluate left atrial (LA) size, anatomy and function. 3DE and off-line quantification softwares, have allowed, in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging, the most time-efficient and accurate method of LA volume quantification. STE provides a non-Doppler, angle-independent and objective quantification of LA myocardial deformation. Data regarding feasibility, accuracy and clinical applications of LA analysis by 3DE and STE are rapidly gathering. This review describes the fundamental concepts of LA 3DE and STE, illustrates how to obtain respective measurements and discuss their recognized and emerging clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Italy. cameli@unisi.it
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cameli
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lisi
authors.forename: Francesca Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Righini
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size