Fig. 1.

Images from three-dimensional (3D) full-volume dataset showing the left atrium (LA) in a healthy subject are demonstrated (a, b): (A) apical four-chamber view, (B) apical two-chamber view, (C3) short-axis view at basal, (C5) mid- and (C7) superior left atrial level. On a, dashed lines represent different planes optimalized on the long-axis and cross-section of the LA. On b, the semi-automated LA border definition, 3D “wire” reconstruction of the LA based on 3D speckle tracking echocardiographic analysis (red D) and LA volumetric data (red E) are presented. Coloured lines represent segmental LA strains while dashed white line represents LA volume changes over the cardiac cycle (red F). White arrow represents peak LA strain, while dashed arrow represents LA strain at atrial contraction. LA left atrium, LV left ventricle, RA right atrium, RV right ventricle