Association of computed tomography-derived left atrial size with major cardiovascular events in the general population: the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.

Background: Echocardiography based data suggests that left atrial (LA) size is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Once non-contrast cardiac CT is performed for prevention purposes, information on the LA is readily available. We aimed to determine whether LA area from non-contrast cardiac CT is associated with incident major cardiovascular (CV) events, independent of CV risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC), based on a general population cohort.