| Sumario: | Enlargement of the left atrium is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and an accurate, convenient imaging modality is necessary for clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of a novel imaging technique, two-dimensional tissue tracking (2 DTT), for assessment of left atrial (LA) volume and function and to compare its correlation and agreement with biplane area length ( AL) method and real time three-dimensional echocardiography ( RT3 DE). A total of 105 patients prospectively underwent 2 DTT, AL and RT3 DE. The LA volume index (LAVI) and emptying fraction were measured. In addition, intra- and inter-observer agreement were calculated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient. There were no significant differences in LAVI and emptying fraction measured by 2 DTT in comparison with those made by AL or RT3 DE, furthermore Bland-Altman analysis showed that 2 DTT had significantly better agreement for LAVI and emptying fraction with AL and RT3 DE. 2 DTT also exhibited smaller intra- and inter-observer variability as compared with AL or RT3 DE. Furthermore, the time to measure LA volume and acquire time-volume curve was significantly less by 2 DTT than that by RT3 DE (U = 49.00, P < 0.001). These observations suggest that the 2 DTT could provide valuable information which is consistent with the standard AL and RT3 DE measurements for LAVI and function with potentially lower intra- and inter-observer variability.
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