Left atrial function in uraemic patients: Four‐dimensional automatic left atrial quantitative technology study

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of left atrial volume and function in uraemic patients using four‐dimensional automatic left atrial quantification (4D auto LAQ) technology.

Methods

Thirty‐four undialysed uraemic patients (U‐ND group), 60 dialysed uraemic patients (U‐D group), and 32 healthy volunteers (N group) were enrolled in our current study. Conventional echocardiographic parameters were recorded, and left atrial volume and strain parameters were analysed to determine statistical differences among the three groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to assess the relationships between left atrial ejection fraction and left atrial strain parameters.

Results

Compared to the N group, uraemic patients often displayed left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy. Significant increases were noted in left atrial diameter, interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, E/e′, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, left atrial minimum volume, left atrial maximum volume, left atrial pre‐atrial contraction volume, left atrial emptying volume and left atrial maximum volume index (P < 0.05). Conversely, the e′, E/A ratio and left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the aforementioned parameters between the U‐ND and U‐D groups. The absolute values of left atrial conduit longitudinal strain and left atrial conduit circumferential strain, as well as left atrial passive ejection fraction, were notably lower in the U‐D group compared to the N and U‐ND groups, with statistically significant differences identified among the three groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Uraemic patients exhibit marked left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy, coupled with altered atrial function, particularly ductal dysfunction in the U‐D group. The 4D auto LAQ technology proves advantageous in detecting these alterations, offering a promising tool for thorough cardiac assessment in this patient cohort.