Left Atrial Structure and Function Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Risk in the Elderly: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although left atrial (LA) enlargement is a recognized risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, emerging evidence supports the importance of LA function. We examined LA emptying fraction (LAEF) across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease burden in a large cohort of elderly adults living in the community.

Methods and results

We studied 1142 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who were in sinus rhythm, free of valvular disease, and had acceptable quality 3-dimensional echocardiograms (mean age, 76±5 years; 59% women). We determined the cross-sectional correlates of LAEF and compared LAEF among elderly adults without cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors (n=201), those with hypertension (n=734), and those with

SUBMITTER: Goncalves A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4936914 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature