Left Atrial Volume
Observational studies including 6,657 patients with- out baseline histories of atrial fibrillation and significant valvular heart disease have shown that LA volume index ≥ 34 mL/m2 is an independent predictor of death, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic stroke.
However, one must recognize that dilated left atria may be seen in patients with bradycardia and 4-chamber enlargement, anemia and other high-output states, atrial flutter or fibrillation, and significant mitral valve disease, in the absence of diastolic dysfunction. Likewise, it is often present in elite athletes in the absence of cardiovascular disease.