Effects of diabetes mellitus on left atrial volume and functions in normotensive patients without symptomatic cardiovascular disease.

Purpose: Left atrial (LA) size has been shown to be a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the direct effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on left atrial volume and phasic functions by using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in a population of patients free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Methods: Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed on 40 consecutive patients with DM (20 male, age: 50.