Left Atrial Enlargement

Measurements of maximal and minimal left atrial volume were obtained from 9 control children and 52 patients with congenital heart disease or pulmonary disease. The volume measurements were correlated with readings of left atrial enlargement by cardiac series and electrocardiography. These studies showed that left atrial volume must be enlarged 2.5 times beyond normal limits before cardiac series and electrocardiography can consistently define left atrial enlargement. Hence cardiac series with barium swallows and electrocardiography are unreliable guides to the size of the left atrium, especially in the presence of minimal or moderate enlargement.