Left Atrial Volume, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Diastolic Function in Healthy Individuals: The HUNT Study, Norway
Key result
Cardiorespiratory fitness was positively associated with left atrial volume index (β 0.18; 95% CI 0.09-0.28) in healthy individuals, but not with other indexes of diastolic dysfunction.
Why the study?
LA dilation indicates left ventricular diastolic dysfunction but also occurs in endurance athletes with high CRF, and little is known about the association between CRF and LA size in healthy, free-living individuals.
Is cardiorespiratory fitness associated with left atrial volume index in healthy individuals?
Population
107 men and 138 women aged 20 to 82 years without hypertension, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or malignant disease
Comparison
Association of LA size with CRF, physical activity, and diastolic dysfunction indexes
Design
Cross-sectional study
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
LAVI associated with higher VO2peak; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective studies before clinical relevance.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=245)
Structured PICO
Is cardiorespiratory fitness associated with left atrial volume index in healthy individuals?
P
Population
245 healthy individuals aged 20 to 82 years, without hypertension, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or malignant disease.
E
Exposure
Cardiorespiratory fitness (measured as VO2peak using ergospirometry) and leisure-time physical activity
O
Outcome
Left atrial volume index (LAVI) and its association with VO2peak, physical activity, and echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular diastolic dysfunctionsurrogate
Main Result
Effect estimate: β 0.18 (95% CI 0.09-0.28)
In healthy individuals, left atrial volume index is positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity, suggesting that LA dilatation may reflect physiological adaptation rather than diastolic dysfunction in fit individuals.
Cite This Study
Letnes et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy Individuals (n=245). Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated on Left atrial volume index (LAVI) (β 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.28). Cardiorespiratory fitness was positively associated with left atrial volume index (β 0.18; 95% CI 0.09-0.28) in healthy individuals, but not with other indexes of diastolic dysfunction.