Reference values and correlates of right atrial volume in healthy adults by two‐dimensional echocardiography

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2018-08, Vol.35 (8), p.1097-1107
• Main Authors: Ferrara, Francesco, Gargani, Luna, Ruohonen, Saku, Vriz, Olga, Scalese, Marco, Russo, Valentina, Marra, Alberto M., Stanziola, Anna Agnese, Cittadini, Antonio, D’Andrea, Antonello, Naeije, Robert, Bossone, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atrial Function, Right - physiology; Cardiac Volume - physiology; Echocardiography - methods; Female; healthy subjects; Healthy Volunteers; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; reference ranges; Reference Values; right atrial volume; Stroke Volume; two‐dimensional echocardiography; Ventricular Function, Right; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.14015

Background Right atrial (RA) volume is an important parameter in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Aim of this study was to define reference ranges for RA volume by two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in healthy adults. Methods A total of 596 healthy subjects [mean age 45.7 ± 14.6 years, range 18–88 years; 60.1% women] underwent a transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, a meta‐analysis was performed of published studies measuring RA volume in healthy subjects, using 2DE single plane area‐length (A‐L) and/or method of disks (MOD) at end‐systole in apical four‐chamber view. Results In our cohort, RA volume was higher in men than women but did not vary with age. Body surface area (BSA), stroke volume (SV), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were the only independent variables associated with RA volume (β coefficient 0.569, 0.123, and 0.131, respectively; all P