Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is associated with left atrial functional measures by echocardiography

Echocardiography guidelines recommend the assessment of maximal LA volume (LAV(max)). Evidence, however, suggests additional value of functional LA measures. We investigated the association between functional LA measures and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Patients suspected of coronary artery disease referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) underwent, in addition to ICA, invasive pressure measurements. LVEDP > 12 mmHg was considered elevated. LA measurements by echocardiography included: LAV(max), minimal LA volume (LAV(min)), total LA emptying fraction (LAEF(total)), passive LA emptying fraction (LAEF(passive)), and active LA emptying fraction (LAEF(active)). Of 43 patients, 28 (65%) had elevated LVEDP. These patients more frequently had coronary vessel disease (VD) and impaired LA mechanics for all measures except LAV(max). All LA measures except LAV(max) were associated with LVEDP in unadjusted linear regression analyses. After adjustment for age and VD, only LA emptying fractions remained associated with LVEDP (2.6 (1.2-4.0) mmHg increase, p = 0.001, per 5% decrease in LAEF(total); 1.4 (0.1-2.8) mmHg increase, p = 0.040, per 5% decrease in LAEF(active); 1.8 (0.1-3.4) mmHg increase, p = 0.038, per 5% decrease in LAEF(passive)). In logistic regression, only LAEF(passive) was significantly associated with elevated LVEDP after adjusting for age and VD (OR = 1.11 (1.01-1.21), p = 0.023, per 1% decrease). Similar findings were made in subgroup analyses among patients without dilated LA and patients without conventional indicators of elevated filling pressure. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is significantly associated with LA functional measures but not LA volumes. Additionally, LAEF(passive) is associated with elevated LVEDP. Future studies examining LA function should include all components of LAEF.