A clinical appraisal of left atrial function

A Semi-Automated Algorithm for Segmentation of the Left Atrial Appendage Landing Zone: Application in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Procedures

Background: Mechanical occlusion of the Left atrial appendage (LAA) using a purpose-built device has emerged as an effective prophylactic treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke and a contraindication for anticoagulation. A crucial step in procedural planning is the choice of the device size. This is currently based on the manual analysis of the “Device Landing Zone” fr...

Diastolic Left Ventricular Dysfunction A Clinical Appraisal

Objective: In dilated cardiomyopathy and in athlete’s heart, progressive LV dilatation is accompanied by rightward displacement of thediastolic LV pressure–volume relation. In dilated cardiomyopathy, an increase in diastolic LV stiffness can limit this rightwarddisplacement thereby decreasing LV systolic performance. Because nitric oxide (NO) reduces diastolic LV stiffness, the present ...

Left Atrial Myxoma: A Rare Tumor in a Child

Atrial myxomas are uncommon in the pediatric population but are very important due to pursuant atrioventricular valve obstruction and systemic embolic events. Concerning multiple symptoms ranging from congestive heart failure to neurological deficits, the diagnosis of this disease is complicated. This paper reports a case of left atrium myxoma in a child treated with a surgical excision o...

strain evaluation of left atrial function: ready for the future?

Left atrial function: pathophysiology, echocardiographic assessment, and clinical applications.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LEFT ATRIAL MECHANICAL FUNCTION Atrial function, in a close interdependence with left ventricular (LV) function, plays a key role in maintaining an optimal cardiac performance. The left atrium (LA) modulates LV filling through its reservoir, conduit, and booster pump function, whereas LV function influences LA function throughout the cardiac cycle. The LA can act to increase ...