Table 2.
The Studies That Investigated LA Volumes and Mechanics in Diabetic Population
| Reference | Imaging Techniques | Patients/ Controls, No. | Age, y | Main Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDIA study18 | 2DE | 2903 | 23–35 | After a 5‐year period diabetes was not associated with LA diameter, and LA diameter indexed for body surface area or height. After a 20‐year follow‐up period, diabetes was associated with the increased unindexed and indexed LA diameters. |
| TODAY study19 | 2DE | 455 | ∼18 | LA diameter, even after indexation for height, did not correlate with hemoglobin A1c level. |
| Kadappu et al9 | 2DE | 73/73 | 43 ± 10 | LA enlargement in diabetes is independent of hypertension and diastolic function, and it is associated with LA dysfunction evaluated by 2DE strain. |
| Poulsen et al13 | 2DE | 305 | 58.6 ± 11.3 | Increased LA volume index was an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients free of cardiovascular disease. |
| Huang et al20 | 2DE | 58/40 | 32–78 | Maximal, minimal, and pre‐atrial contraction LA volumes were higher in diabetic patients than in controls. LA reservoir and conduit function were reduced, whereas LA pump function was increased in diabetic patients. |
| Muranaka et al22 | 2DE strain | 39/16 | 62 ± 9 | 2DE strain imaging detected impairment of LA reservoir and conduit functions in diabetic patients, even in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy and LA dilatation. |
| Graca et al25 | CMR | 45/24 | 45–75 | CMR detection of LA dysfunction in asymptomatic diabetic patients: reduced LA reservoir and conduit functions. LA pump function did not differ. |
| Mondillo et al36 | 2DE strain | 155/36 | 65 ± 11 | LA deformation is impaired in diabetic patients, even if LA volumes were similar between groups. |
| Jarnert et al43 | 2DE VVI strain | 87 | 60 ± 7 | LA strain by VVI is impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. LA strain distinguished normal from abnormal diastolic function. |
| Liu et al44 | 2DE strain | 164/26 | 51 ± 11 | Hypertension leads to abnormal LA reservoir and conduit functions, and coexisting diabetes can further impair conduit function. |
Abbreviations: 2DE, 2‐dimensional echocardiography; CMR, cardiac magnetic resonance; LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle; VVI, vector velocity imaging.