title: Effects of age on left atrial volume and strain parameters using echocardiography in a normal black population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Normal cut-off values for left atrial (LA) size and function may be altered by aging and ethnic differences. No age-related reference values for LA volumetric measurements or LA strain exist in Africans. We aimed to establish normal age-appropriate values of LA size and function in black Africans. Additionally, we studied the correlation between age, LA strain and volumetric parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, cross-sectional study of 120 individuals (mean age 38.7 ± 12.8 years, 50% men), subjects were classified into four age groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-70 years. LA volumes were measured by biplane Simpson's method, and Philips QLAB 9 (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) speckle-tracking software was used to measure LA peak strain in the reservoir (ƐR) and contractile phase (ƐCT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in the maximum and minimum LAVi were noted among the four age categories (P = 0.1, P = 0.2). LA volumetric function assessment showed no difference in reservoir function between age groups (P > 0.05), conduit function decreased with advancing age (r = -0.3, P < 0.001) and booster function displayed a significant increase with age (LA active emptying volume index, P = 0.001). There was a significant decrease in LA ƐR(P < 0.0001) in the older age groups, whereas ƐCTremained unchanged (P = 0.27).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age-related changes in LA reservoir, conduit and contractile function in black Africans are similar to those observed in other populations, as was the trend of declining ƐRwith advancing age. The preservation of ƐCTwith increasing age requires further analysis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ruchika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meel
authors.affiliation: Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St Luke's Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA publishing22@aurora.org.
authors.forename: Bijoy K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Khandheria
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ferande
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Libhaber
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mohammed R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Essop
keywords: aging; black population; echocardiography; left atrium