Measurement of left atrial systolic time intervals in hypertensive patients using Doppler echocardiography: Relation to fourth heart sound and left ventricular wall thickness

The concept of left atrial systolic time intervals anil Doppler echocardiography were used in a quantitative assessment of left atrial function in relation to the presence or absence of a fourth heart sound and to left ventricular hypertrophy in 47 patients with hypertension. Left atrial systolic time interval indexes included atrial pre-ejection period (the time between the onset of an electrocardipgraphic P wave and the onset of left ventricular inflow during atrial systole [A wave]), corrected atrial pre-ejcctlon period (the airial pre-ejection period divided by the duration of the P wave), and atrial ejection time (the time between the onset and cessation of the A wave).