User:Bob K31416/LAE

Characterizing the size of the left atrium according to its volume is preferred over a single linear dimension since enlargement can be different for different directions. For example, because of the smaller distance in the thoracic cavity between the sternum and spine, compared to the other directions, there is less room for LAE along the anteroposterior axis. By approximating the shape of the left atrium as an ellipsoid, its volume can be calculated from measurements of its dimensions along three perpendicular directions.

Characterizing the size of the left atrium (LA) according to its volume is preferred over a single linear dimension since enlargement can be different for different directions. For example, because of the smaller distance in the thoracic cavity between the sternum and spine, compared to other directions, there is less room for enlargement along the anteroposterior axis. LA volumes can be calculated by either approximating the shape of the LA as an ellipsoid or using a three-dimensional version of Simpson's rule.

The ellipsoid approximation can be used to calculate the LA volume from measurements of LA dimensions along three perpendicular directions,
 * $$V_{3dir} = \frac {4 \pi} {3} \ \frac {L} {2} \ \frac {D_1} {2} \ \frac {D_2} {2} $$

where
 * L is the long-axis dimension of the ellipsoid, i.e. from the mitral valve to the back wall of the LA,
 * D1, D2 are perpendicular short-axis dimensions.

A preferred refinement of the above calculation uses instead the biplane area-length formula for the volume of the LA,
 * $$V_{bi} = \frac{8}{3 \pi} \  \frac{A_1 A_2}{L} \ $$

where
 * A1, A2 are the cross-sectional areas of the LA from respectively the four-chamber and two-chamber ECHO views.

Note that a full text HTML version can be helpful because its reference section can also contain links and indicate whether a cited reference's full text online version is free.

Alsaileek2006 (free) Predictive Value of Normal Left Atrial Volume in Stress Echocardiography

Apostolakis2008 (free) The surgical management of giant left atrium

Artang2009 Left atrial volume measurement with automated border detection by 3-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

Aurigemma2009 (free) Left Atrial Volume and Geometry in Healthy Aging

Bangalore2007 (free) Role of Left Atrial Size in Risk Stratification and Prognosis of Patients Undergoing Stress Echocardiography

Bowman2004 Left atrial conduit volume is generated by deviation from the constant-volume state of the left heart: a combined MRI-echocardiographic study

Choo2004 (free) Excellent results for atrial fibrillation surgery in the presence of giant left atrium and mitral valve disease

Dittrich1999 Left atrial diameter in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: An echocardiographic study - Independent predictors of LAE include: presence and persistence of AF;  age; body weight; left ventricular dilatation and increased muscle mass; mitral regurgitation and annular calcification; and hypertension.

Di Tullio1999 (free) Left Atrial Size and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in an Ethnically Mixed Population

Kim2007 Preoperative left atrial volume index is a predictor of successful sinus rhythm restoration and maintenance after the maze operation

Lang2006 (free) Recommendations for chamber quantification

Leung2008 Echocardiographic evaluation of left atrial size and function: current understanding, pathophysiologic correlates, and prognostic implications

Messika-Zeitoun2007 (free) Left atrial remodelling in mitral regurgitation—methodologic approach, physiological determinants, and outcome implications: a prospective quantitative Doppler-echocardiographic and electron beam-computed tomographic study

Osranek2005 (free) Left atrial volume predicts cardiovascular events in patients originally diagnosed with lone atrial fibrillation: three-decade follow-up

Otsuji2002 (free) Isolated annular dilation does not usually cause important functional mitral regurgitation- Comparison between patients with lone atrial fibrillation and those with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy

Pritchett2003 Left atrial volume as an index of left atrial size: a population-based study

Schotten2004 (free) Loss of atrial contractility is primary cause of atrial dilatation during first days of atrial fibrillation

&bull; Sanfilippo1990 (free) [http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/82/3/792 Atrial enlargement as a consequence of atrial fibrillation. A prospective echocardiographic study]

Thamilarasan1999 (free)  Factors relating to left atrial enlargement in atrial fibrillation: “Chicken or the egg” hypothesis

Teresa2006 (free) Prediction of Cardiovascular Outcomes With Left Atrial Size

Thomas2003 (free) Atrial structural remodelling and restoration of atrial contraction after linear ablation for atrial fibrillation

References and formulas used by the Body Surface Area Calculator