Quantitative regional analysis of left atrial function by Doppler tissue imaging-derived parameters discriminates patients with posterior and anterior myocardial infarction.

Background: Doppler tissue imaging can now be used for the assessment of left atrial (LA) function. LA function was evaluated by this technique in a group of patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction and in a control population.

Methods: Patients were all prospectively imaged with a scanner. To study the LA, a region of interest was located in the proximal part of the lateral and septal LA walls. Doppler tissue imaging, tissue tracking, strain, and delays were recorded.

Results: In all, 12 patients with posterior (age 54 +/- 9 years) and 13 with anterior (age 64 +/- 16 years) acute myocardial infarction, along with 16 control patients (age 54 +/- 9 years), were analyzed. Early diastolic septal velocity was found to be the best parameter for discriminating among the 3 groups. Peak strain was also relevant and did not correlate with left ventricular function.

Conclusions: LA is accessible to Doppler tissue imaging analysis. Strain can quantify LA function relatively independently of left ventricular function, and may provide new insights on LA function.