LA structural remodeling is predicted by arterial stiffening independently of conventional risk factors

Background Left atrium (LA) size and function are powerful biomarkers of cardiovascular outcomes in many diseases. We sought to determine if the expected age-associated increase in arterial stiffness (AS) and left ventricular (LV)-LA afterload leads to corresponding effects on LA function and this can be measured with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Additionally, we investigated the significance of these markers in asymptomatic individuals with cardiovascular risk factors (CRF).