whereA4c andA2c denote LA areas in 4- and 2-chamber views respectively, andL corresponds to the shortest long-axis length measured in either views.[1]
Usually, the volume of the left atrium is divided by the body surface area in order to provide anextensive property, which is independent from body size.[2][3] The resulting index is referred to as left atrial volume index (LAVI):
LAVI predicts survival after acute myocardial infarction,[4] postoperative atrial fibrillation in subjects undergoing heart surgery,[5] atrial fibrillation and stroke[6] as well as hospital admission in ambulatory patients.[7]
^Lang, Roberto M.; Bierig, Michelle; Devereux, Richard B.; Flachskampf, Frank A.; Foster, Elyse; Pellikka, Patricia A.; Picard, Michael H.; Roman, Mary J.; Seward, James; Shanewise, Jack S.; Solomon, Scott D.; Spencer, Kirk T.; St John Sutton, Martin; Stewart, William J. (December 2005). "Recommendations for Chamber Quantification: A Report from the American Society of Echocardiography's Guidelines and Standards Committee and the Chamber Quantification Writing Group, Developed in Conjunction with the European Association of Echocardiography, a Branch of the European Society of Cardiology".Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.18 (12):1440–1463.doi:10.1016/j.echo.2005.10.005.PMID16376782.
