Changes in left atrial phasic strain and mechanical dispersion: Effects of age and gender

PURPOSE Left atrial (LA) function by two-dimensional (2D) strain is an emerging tool with increasing clinical utility. Age and gender are key modulators of strain parameters; however, the specific time course for LA structural and functional changes is not clearly defined. METHODS A total of 147 healthy individuals (20-69 years) underwent transthoracic echocardiography; subjects were evaluated by age (decade) and gender. LA and left ventricular (LV) volumetric and strain measurements were performed. RESULTS Left atrial reservoir (ƐR) and conduit strain (ƐCD) with negatively correlated with age (r =-.36; r = -.56; P