title: Left atrial volumes: two-dimensional, three-dimensional, cardiac magnetic resonance and computed tomography measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of left atrial volume is important, as it is a biomarker of cardiovascular disease and outcomes and correlates with diastolic dysfunction severity. Left atrial volume measurements by different imaging modalities, including 2D and 3D echocardiography (2DE and 3DE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CT), are reviewed in regard to recent advances, methodology, prognostic value and limitations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Left atrial volume assessments correlate well between the different imaging modalities; however, 2DE significantly underestimates left atrial measurements. Assessment of the left atrial minimum volume and left atrial phasic function derived volumetrically have reported superior predictive value for major adverse cardiovascular events and elevated left ventricular diastolic pressure compared with the left atrial maximum volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different imaging modalities used to assess left atrial volumes are not interchangeable, particularly for serial measurements. Although 2DE underestimates left atrial volumes, most normative as well as predictive data have been obtained using this modality. Standardization, with established normative data and classification criteria, needs to be established for other imaging modalities, additionally incorporating assessment of left atrial minimum and phasic volumes. Despite the limitations of the more simplistic 2DE, its measurements are well defined with significant prognostic value. The incremental prognostic value of the more complex imaging techniques needs to be further validated.
authors.affiliation: aWestmead Private Cardiology bSouth Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital cWestern Clinical School, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anita C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009929:Organ Size; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed