Mitral flow Doppler has been used to evaluate left ventricle (LV) diastolic function by mitral E/A flow ratio, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and deceleration time (DT) of E wave. Such variables can be affected by various factors. The increase in left atrium (LA) afterload and preload is accompanied by increased LA size. So, we investigated the relationship of LA volume and LV diastolic dysfunction.

From January 2000 to July 2000, 39 patients were included in this study. They were classified into normal (M:F=5:6, mean age 54.0±11.4 years), impaired relaxation (M:F=5:4, mean age 70.0±5.5 years), pseudonormal (M:F=5:3, mean age 68.3±13.2 years) and restrictive physiology (M:F=10:1, mean age 65.5±12.7 years) according to mitral inflow variables. The LA volume of each groups was measured by Simpson method, M-mode method and arealength method.

1) The LA volumes measured by Simpson method, M-mode method and area-length method were correlated (p<0.001, r=0.925 in Simpson compared with arealength method). 2) The LA volume by Simpson method were found 54.4±16.4 cm3 in normal, 57.3±9.2 cm3 in impaired relaxation, 81.4±28.8 cm3 in pseudonormal and 119.8±64.5 cm3 in restrictive physiology. 3) The LA volume were significantly increased in pseudonormal group compared with normal (p<0.05).

The LA volume is a useful and easy diagnostic stool for evaluating of LV diastolic function.