Left atrium (LA) strain, volume and function are important markers of cardiovascular disease and myocardial impairment. We aimed to assess the accuracy of LA biplane volume and function measured by Multimodality Tissue Tracking (MTT). Also we assessed the inter-study reproducibility for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived LA volume and function parameters. Thirty subjects (mean age: 71.3 ± 8.7, 87 % male) including twenty subjects with cardiovascular events and ten healthy subjects, with CMR were evaluated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). LA volumes were computed by the modified biplane method from 2- and 4-chamber projections and the Simpson’s method from short-axis slices using both methods - manual and semi-automated delineation using MTT. LA total, active and passive ejection fractions were calculated. Pearson’s correlation and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare the measurements. In a second sample of 25 subjects (age: 65.7 ± 7.1, 72 % males) inter study, intra and inter reader reliability analysis was performed. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was evaluated. Left atrial MTT structural and functional parameters were not different from manual delineation, yet image analysis was only half as time consuming on average with MTT. Maximal volume MTT was not different between the Simpson’s and Biplane methods, functional parameters, however were different. MTT allowed us to measure multiple LA parameters with good-excellent (ICC; 0.88– 0.98, p < 0.001) intra-and inter reader reproducibility and fair-good (ICC; 0.44–0.82, p < 0.05–0.001) inter study reproducibility. MTT derived LA biplane volume and function is accurate and reproducible and is suited for use in longitudinal studies.

Background—: The association of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with liver fibrosis is poorly understood. We aim to assess the association of liver fibrosis by T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging and CVD in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Methods and Results—: MESA enrolled 6814 participants free of clinical CVD at baseline (2000–2002). A subsample of participants underwent T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging 10 years after the baseline (Y10 MESA exam, 2010–2012). Liver T1 maps were generated avoiding vessels and biliary ducts from which native T1 (n=2087) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV, n=1234) were determined. Higher ECV and native T1 were indicators of liver fibrosis. Linear regression analysis evaluated the cross-sectional relationship between liver native T1 and ECV at Y10 MESA exam with a history of CVD events (atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary heart disease [CHD]). Of the 2087 participants (68.7±9.1 years; 46% females), 153 had prior CVD events (78 atrial fibrillation, 25 heart failure, and 78 CHD). History of CVD events was associated with 18.5 ms higher liver native T1 ( P <0.001) and 1.4% greater ECV ( P =0.06). Prior atrial fibrillation was related to higher liver native T1 (β=21.1; P =0.001) and greater ECV (β=2.2; P =0.02), whereas previous heart failure was associated with greater liver ECV (β=4.1; P =0.02). There was also a relationship of prior CHD with liver native T1 (β=13; P =0.05) and ECV (β=1.9; P =0.05), which was attenuated by adjustment for coronary artery calcium score (β=7.1 and 1.6; P =0.37 and 0.13, respectively). Conclusions—: Liver fibrosis by T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging is associated with history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CHD in a multiethnic cohort. The association of liver fibrosis and CHD is at least in part mediated by atherosclerosis.

Although left ventricular cardiac geometric indices such as size and sphericity characterize adverse remodeling and have prognostic value in symptomatic patients, little is known of shape distributions in subclinical populations. We sought to quantify shape variation across a large number of asymptomatic volunteers, and examine differences among sub-cohorts.

In individuals without cardiovascular disease, the left atrioventricular coupling index and its annual change have incremental prognostic value to predict incident atrial fibrillation over traditio... Background Left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) structural and functional parameters have independent prognostic values as predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose To investigate the p...