Left Atrial Circumferential Strain for Evaluation of Mitral Regurgitation: A Feasibility and Reproducibility Study

Short-axis CMR left atrial (LA) circumferential strain has not yet been investigated as a cardiac biomarker. This study assessed feasibility and reproducibility of LA circumferential strain in a healthy cohort, examined changes in strain within mitral regurgitation (MR) patients, and assessed correlations between reproducible strain measures and MR severity and cardiac function. Reservoir strain globally and at superior and mid LA regions was found to be reproducible, was significantly different between healthy volunteers and MR patients, and was correlated with cardiac function. CMR LA circumferential strain is reproducible with potential utility in evaluating impaired LA mechanics in MR patients.