Ventricular Dependence of Left Atrial Mechanical Function

Purpose: Atrial function is an important determinant of risk of thromboembolic cardiovascular complications. Left atrial (LA) contractile dysfunction has been associated with systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. It is unclear whether such LA dysfunction is an epiphenomenon or whether it is a direct result of the LV dysfunction. We sought to investigate the effect of abolition of ventricular function on LA mechanical function.