title: Left Atrial Volumetric and Strain Analysis by Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy: Results from the MAGYAR-Path Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy characterised by a distinctive 2-layered appearance of the myocardium due to hypertrabecularisation and deep intertrabecular recesses. The present study was designed to assess left atrial (LA) volumes and volumetric and strainbased functional properties by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) in NCCM.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 12 consecutive NCCM patients. Their results were compared to 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE were performed in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calculated LA maximum (76.5 ± 26.8 mL vs. 45.3 ± 15.1 mL, p=0.0002) and minimum (56.9 ± 27.3 mL vs. 25.3 ± 15.2 mL, p=0.0002) volumes and LA volume before atrial contraction (67.1 ± 28.2 mL vs. 35.7 ± 16.4 mL, p=0.0004) were significantly greater in NCCM patients. Total, active, and passive LA emptying fractions proved to be smaller in NCCM. Peak global radial (-9.3 ± 7.8% vs. -16.8 ± 10.2%, p=0.05), circumferential (12.8 ± 8.4% vs. 26.2 ± 9.2%, p=0.0003), longitudinal (12.8 ± 8.2% vs. 22.5 ± 8.5%, p=0.004), and area (26.7 ± 18.5% vs. 51.6 ± 20.3%, p=0.001) strains were significantly smaller in NCCM patients as compared to matched controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significantly greater LA volumes and compromised LA functional properties could be demonstrated by 3DSTE in patients with NCCM.
authors: Second Department of Medicine and Cardiology Centre, Medical Faculty, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
authors: Attila
authors: A
authors: Nemes
authors: Györgyike Ágnes
authors: GÁ
authors: Piros
authors: Péter
authors: P
authors: Domsik
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Kalapos
authors: Tams
authors: T
authors: Forster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology