Assessment of left atrial volume and function in patients with Sjögren's syndrome using three-dimensional echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE

We used real time, three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and mechanical function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

We prospectively included 42 consecutive patients with primary SS and 42 controls who were similar in terms of basal characteristics. 3DTTE was used to assess LA function.

RESULTS

Maximum LA volume, minimum LA volume, pre-atrial contraction LA volume, LA Active Stroke Volume (ASV), LA Total Stroke Volume (TSV), maximal left atrial volume index (LAVImax), Left atrial pre-contraction volume index, and Left atrial minimum volume index, ASV index, and TSV index were significantly higher in the SS group, and the LA Total Emptying Fraction, LA Expansion Index, and LA Passive Emptying Fraction were significantly lower. Although the active emptying fraction was higher in the SS group, the difference was not statistically significant. LAVImax was positive correlated with disease duration (r = .753).

CONCLUSION

Left atrial function is impaired in SS patients and serves as an early marker of subclinical cardiac involvement.