Left atrial longitudinal speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy aging heart

Abstract

Background:Left atrial volume (LAV) and function are connected to the left ventricular (LV) haemodynamic patterns. To define the changes of LAV and functions to counterbalance age-related LV diastolic impairment, this study was undertaken.Methods:2D-Left Atrial Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-LASTE) was used to define both LAV and functions in an aged healthy population (group II) respect to adult healthy controls (group I).Results:Results showed an increasing of left atrial volume indices (LAVI) (maximum, minimum, pre-a) in old subjects in comparison with those obtained in adult healthy controls. On the contrary, LAVI passive emptying unchanged and LAVI passive fraction reduced with advanced age. Finally, LAVI active emptying increased with advancing age to compensate the age-dependent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The values of global systolic strain (S); systolic strain rate (SrS); early diastolic strain rate (SrE), and late diastolic strain rate (SrA) were also calculated. With reference to the function, our study confirmed that LA conduit function deteriorates with age while booster pump increases respect to adult controls and reservoir phase is maintained.Conclusions:The echocardiographic findings obtained with conventional and tissue Doppler confirmed the connection between LA functions and volumes and age-related LV dysfunction. Conclusively, 2D-LASTE appears to be a reliable tool to evaluate the role of LA to compensate the derangement of left ventricle happening with ageing.

Long-term prognostic value of left atrial longitudinal strain in an elderly community-based cohort

“…Still, there is evidence that LV diastolic dysfunction and increased LA volumes are independent predictors of first age-related cardiovascular event in an elderly population [26]. Cacciapuoti et al also confirmed the connection between LA function and volumes and age-related LV dysfunction [23]. With regard to conventional echocardiographic parameters of the LA, numerous studies presented their diagnostic and prognostic role in various clinical scenarios.…”

“…LV diastolic function normally deteriorates with age [23][24][25]. Still, there is evidence that LV diastolic dysfunction and increased LA volumes are independent predictors of first age-related cardiovascular event in an elderly population [26].…”