Abstract

Introduction: left atrial volume is now considered superior to left atrial diameter and larger left atrial volume associated with increased incidence of cardiac events including.

Aim of the work : to determine the predictive value of left atrial volume index measured at diagnosis on outcome in patients with asymptomatic severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation .

Methods : our study included 200 patients (during the period from October 2021 to October 2022) with asymptomatic severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation for them assessment of left atrial volume, left ventricular volumes and mitral regurgitation severity using vena contracta width and proximal isovelocity surface area .

Results: it was found that patients with left atrial volume index > 60 ml/ m2 had higher incidence for developing cardiac events during follow up 28.5% (10 patients developed atrial fibrillation , 7patients reported hospitalization for congestive heart failure , and 3 cases died) versus patients with left atrial volume index 40 : 59 ml/m2 (8 patients 12%) (6patients developed atrial fibrillation , 2 patients reported hospitalization for congestive heart failure) Versus patients with left atrial volume index < 40 ml/ m2 (2 patients 3%, (1patient developed atrial fibrillation , 1 patient reported hospitalization for congestive heart failure) with p value 0.001) .

Conclusion and recommendations: left atrial volume index should be assessed in routine clinical practice for decision-making in patients with asymptomatic severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation since it is an early predictor for development of cardiac events in those individuals.