Evaluation of left atrial function using real time three dimensional echocardiography in patients with myocardial infarction

Objective To assess left atrial (LA) systolic function characterized by LA ejection force (LAEF) in myocardial infarction (MI) patients using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). Methods Thirty-seven patients with old myocardial infarction and 50 healthy age-matched controls were examined by conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiography.Left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and mitral valve E/e′ were measured.Group t test was used to compare the indicators of two groups. Results Compared with healthy group, left ventricular volume, LA diameter, mitral valve ring diameter, mitral E/e′ and LAEF [(11.5+ 5.6) kdyne vs. (4.8+ 2.7) kdyne]were significantly increased in MI patients(All P<0.05). Conclusions Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography can accurately evaluate the left atrial function.LA systolic function was compensatory enhanced on MI patients with reduced left ventricular function. Key words: Echocardiography, three-dimensional; Myocardial infarction; Atrial function, left