BackgroundFew reports exist on the relationship of the left ventricular diastolic
dysfunction (LVDD) with its most important features including enlargement of
the left atrium and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and with the right
ventricular (RV) function.ObjectiveTo determine the correlation between the left atrial size and the RV function
and dimensions in patients with and without LVDD and LVH.MethodsFifty patients were included, 25 (40% men) of them with LVDD, aged 67.1
± 10.6 years (study group) and 25 without LVDD (52% men) aged 49.9
± 16.3 years (control group). Patients underwent transthoracic
echocardiography with evaluation of the left atrial size and volume (LAV),
LVDD, LVH, and RV function and dimensions. P-values < 0.05 were
considered statistically significant.ResultsLAV > 34 mL/m2 and left atrial size > 40 mm were associated
with lower absolute values of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
(TAPSE) and RV lateral S' (p ≤ 0.001, Pearson's correlation
coefficient -0.4 and -0.38, respectively) in the study group. Patients in
the study group showed higher incidence of LVH (p = 0.02) and greater left
atrial diameter (p = 0.03) compared with the control group. In addition,
greater left atrial diameter (p = 0.02) and LAV (p = 0.01) values were found
in patients with LVDD grade II compared with LVDD grade I.ConclusionsThe present study determined, for the first time, the correlation of left
atrial enlargement with progressive RV dysfunction in patients with
LVDD.