Comprehensive assessment of right atrial volume and function in healthy subjects using two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography

Background: Right atrial (RA) size and function are well-known predictors of cardiovascular outcome in pulmonary artery hypertension and heart failure. However, limited data are available about normal RA parameters in healthy subjects. Accordingly, our aim was to assess reference values of RA geometry and function indexes using 2D and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods and results: Apical 4-chamber views optimized for the right atrium were acquired in 60 healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 65 (37+12 years, 31 men) with no risk factors, history or clinical evidence of cardiovascular diseases and good 2D echo image quality. RA volumes were quantitated using the single plane disc-summation algorithm. RA longitudinal strain and strain rate were obtained using STE. Results. Gender-specific reference values (mean+SD) of RA indexes of geometry and function are summarized in Table. RA size did not vary significantly with age. Among RA function parameters, only active stroke volume increased significantly with age (r= 0.26; p= 0.046). Conclusions: In healthy subjects, RA volumes, but not RA function, differ significantly between genders.