Left atrial dimensions were measured using cross sectional echocardiography in 37 patients with mitral valve disease and 30 normal subjects of similar ages. The anteroposterior (AP), superior-inferior (SI), and medial-lateral (ML) left atrial dimensions were determined at the end of ventricular systole using parasternal long and short axis and apical four chamber views (for SIa and MLa). To assess the reliability of these measurements cross sectional echocardiographic and angiographic left atrial volumes were compared in 19 patients with mitral valve disease, giving an excellent correlation. A moderate correlation was found between the anteroposterior dimension of the left atrium obtained using M mode echocardiography and that obtained using the parasternal short axis and long axis projections. In normal subjects a good correlation was found between SI and ML dimensions, while a lower correlation was found between SI and AP, and ML and AP dimensions. The SI dimension was the major axis of the left atrium and AP dimension the minor axis. In patients with mitral valve disease a good correlation was found between SI and ML dimensions, while SI and ML dimensions had a low correlation with AP dimensions. The AP dimension was the minor axis of the left atrium, while the SI and ML dimensions were not significantly different. All left atrial dimensions were significantly greater in patients with mitral valve disease than in normal subjects. Of 30 patients with at least one dimension increased, all three dimensions were abnormal in 16, two dimensions were increased in 10, and only one dimension was increased in four. AP, SI, and ML dimensions were abnormal in 25, 20, and 27 patients, respectively. Cross sectional echocardiography may provide a reliable estimate of left atrial dimensions. In patients with mitral valve disease a thorough examination of the left atrium using multiple cross sectional views is necessary to detect asymmetric left atrial enlargement and to measure the degree of left atrial dilatation.

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To compare the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate with conventional long-term antibiotic prophylaxis in women with recurrent bacterial cystitis. Materials and Methods: In this analysis of a prospective study, where women with recurrent bacterial cystitis were randomised to intravesical hyaluronic acid 800 mg/chondroitin sulfate 1,000 mg (group 1) or long-term antibiotic prophylaxis (group 2 -control group), patients in group 1 were evaluated 36 months after treatment. Outcomes included cystitis recurrence, subjective pain symptoms based on a visual analogue scale (VAS), three-day voiding, pelvic pain and urgency/frequency symptoms (PUF scale), sexual function questionnaire, quality of life based on King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), and adverse events. Results: Twelve women (mean ± standard deviation 59.3 ± 13.9 years old) underwent follow-up at 36 months after treatment. There were improvements in all efficacy evaluations at 36 months' follow-up, with significantly favourable mean changes from baseline in cystitis frequency (-5.4 episodes/year; p < 0.001), three-day voiding (-10.7 voids; p = 0.002), urinary VAS (-6.7 points; p < 0.001), PUF (-14.2 points; p < 0.001), sexual function (-4.3 points; p < 0.001) and KHQ (-34.0; p < 0.001) scores, and MCC (+131.7; p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Intravesical hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate significantly reduced cystitis recurrence and associated symptoms and was well tolerated in women with recurrent bacterial cystitis at 36 months' after treatment.