Studies of left atrial (LA) function, until the latter part of the 20th
century, were mostly limited to experimental animal models and to
studies related to clinical research in the cardiac catheterization
laboratory. For this reason, LA function has received considerably less
attention than left ventricular (LV) functions, even though evidence
suggests that LA myopathy and failure may exist as an isolated entity,
precede and/or coexist with LV myopathy. The introduction of
echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography in clinical practice has
contributed significantly to our understanding of LA function and its
interrelationships with the LV, aorta, pulmonary artery and other parts
of the cardiovascular system. In addition, LA with the secretion of
atrial natriuretic peptides is playing an important role in
cardiovascular and neurohumoral homeostasis. Today, it is well known
that LA structural and functional abnormalities that are present in many
diseases and disorders constitute a powerful prognostic indicator. As
technology (echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed
tomography and others) continues to evolve, it is expected that, in the
near future, LA structure and function will be routinely used as LV
function is used today. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Base
