Relationship between left atrial volume and diastolic dysfunction in 500 Brazilian patients.

Background: Left atrial volume index (LAVI) increase has been associated to left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD), a marker of cardiovascular events (atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, death).

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between LAVI and diferente grades od DD in Brazilian patients submitted to echocardiogram, studying LAVI increase determinants in this sample.

Methods: We have selected 500 outpatients submitted to echocardiography, after excluding arrhythmia, valvar or congenital cardiopathy, permanent pacemaker or inadequate ecocardiographic window.