Evaluation of left atrial systolic function in uremia patients with strain rate imaging and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To evaluate left atrial (LA) systolic function in uremia patients with strain rate imaging (SRI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography. Methods Forty-four patients (male: 23, female: 21) with uremia and 40 healthy volunteers (male: 20, female: 20) were involved. Left ventricle posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), interventricular septal thickness (IVST) and left ventricle internal diameter (LVID), the left atrial strain rate (SRa) at each left atrial top segment of each walls, the maximun left atrial volume (LAVmax), minimum left atrial volume (LAVmin) and left atrial volume before systole (LAVp) were recorded. Mass left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) and left atrial systolic volume (LASV) were calculated. Results There was no statistical difference of LVMI at the normal value range between patients with uremia and healthy volunteers (same gender). Statistical differences in left atrial SRa, LASV and LAEF were found between patients with uremia and healthy volunteers (same gender, P0.05). Conclusion Left atrial systolic function changes in patients with uremia without obvious changes in left ventricle can be early detected with SRI and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.