title: [Value of left atrial area index for diagnosing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the correlation between left atrial size and left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) and the value of left atrial size assessment on detecting diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF by echocardiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Echocardiography was performed in 346 hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF(≥ 50%), left atrial size including left atrial diameter (LAD) and left atrial area (LAA) was measured and indexed to body surface area (LADI, LAAI). The ratio of early diastolic transmitral velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/Em) was determined and LVFP was calculated with the formula: LVFP = 1.24×E/Em + 1.9. Patients were divided into diastolic dysfunction group [DD group, LVFP > 15 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), n = 81] and normal diastolic function group (NDF group, LVFP ≤ 15 mm Hg, n = 265).
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared to patients in NDF group, the patients in DD group had larger LA [LADI: (21.4 ± 2.6) mm/m(2) vs. (19.6 ± 2.4) mm/m(2); LAAI: (12.1 ± 2.6) cm(2)/m(2) vs. (10.4 ± 1.7)cm(2)/m(2); all P < 0.01]. LA size parameters were positively correlated with LVFP (r = 0.211-0.450, all P < 0.01), LAAI was best correlated with LVFP (r = 0.450, P < 0.01). ROC analysis showed that LAAI ≥ 11.4 cm(2)/m(2) diagnosed DD with a sensitivity of 63%, specificity of 74% and accuracy of 72%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left atrium dilation correlates positively with LVFP in hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF. The LAAI is a more accurate parameter for identifying patients with diastolic dysfunction in this cohort.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Wei-hong
authors: WH
authors: Li
authors: Zhao-ping
authors: ZP
authors: Li
authors: Xin-heng
authors: XH
authors: Feng
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left