Table 1.

The Strengths and Limitation in Left Atrial Assessment Using 2DE and 3DE Volumetric Methods and 2DE Speckle Tracking Imaging

	Volumetric Assessment		Speckle Tracking Assessment
	2DE	3DE	LA Strain/Strain Rates
Technical consideration
Availability	High	Moderate	Moderate/high
Cost	Low	Moderate	Low
Typical scan duration (min)*	3–5	1	3–5
Typical time for analysis (min)	4–6	5–7	2–3
Problem with imaging window	Present	Present	Present
Temporal resolution	+++	+	++/+++
Spatial resolution	+++	++	+++
Authentic 3‐dimensional imaging	No	Yes	No
Assessment of LA structure	+	++	No
Assessment of LA volumes
Static	+	++	No
Phasic	+	++	No
Assessment of LA function	+	++	++
Major advantages	Low cost	No geometric assumptions	Short time of analysis
	High availability	High reproducibility	High reproducibility
		LA appendage could be evaluated
Major limitations	Measurements are made only in 2‐chamber, 4‐chamber, and apical long‐axis views	Cost
	Geometric assumptions	Stable cardiac rhythm	Relatively low availability
	Long time for analysis	Acquisition of LA full‐volume	Higher cost than for volumetric method
	LA appendage is not measured	Visualization of LA endocardial border	Stable cardiac rhythm is preferred

Abbreviations: 2DE, 2‐dimensional echocardiography; 3DE, 3‐dimensional echocardiography; LA, left atrium.

⁺= low, ++ = moderate, +++ = high, ++++ = very high major limitation of the modality.

^*Time only for scanning.