title: Arterial stiffness, body fat compartments, central hemodynamics, renal function and left atrial size.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Left atrial (LA) size is an important predictor of stroke, death, and atrial fibrillation. It was demonstrated recently that body fat, arterial stiffness and renal functions are associated with LA diameter. However, data are lacking for comprehensive assessments of all these risk factors in a single population. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between LA size and different fat descriptors, central hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and renal function in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  To this end, body fat percentage, abdominal, subcutaneous fat, and general descriptors of body fat were estimated in 162 healthy subjects (mean age 51 years). Echocardiography was performed to assess LA diameter. Arterial stiffness and peripheral and central hemodynamics were estimated by digital volume pulse analysis and pulse wave analysis. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by MDRD formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant (p < 0.05) bivariate correlations between LA diameter and all descriptors of body fat (except subcutaneous fat). Arterial stiffness and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were also significantly correlated with LA size. Multiple regression analysis including all significant confounders, such as sex, mean arterial pressure, arterial stiffness, eGFR and body fat descriptors, explained 35% of variance in LA diameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the present study reveals significant, independent relationships between body fat, arterial stiffness, and LA size.
authors: Department of Radiology.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Katulska
authors: Agata
authors: A
authors: Milewska
authors: Mateusz
authors: M
authors: Wykretowicz
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Krauze
authors: Dagmara
authors: D
authors: Przymuszala
authors: Jaroslaw
authors: J
authors: Piskorski
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Stajgis
authors: Przemyslaw
authors: P
authors: Guzik
authors: Henryk
authors: H
authors: Wysocki
authors: Andrzej
authors: A
authors: Wykrętowicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D055815:Young Adult