Difference between left atrium function and size in athletes and healthy population

The function descriptors and size of the left atrium are commonly found in inversely proportional terms. Enlarged left atrium is the most common predictor of adverse cardiovascular event. Professional athletes are exposed to great physical exertion that leads to cardiac remodeling as a consequence of hemodynamic adaptation. Large meta-analyses confirmed that the linear dimensions and volume of the LA are significantly higher in athletes while the assessment of function is significantly more complex. Our study did not show difference in size of the left atrium between two groups. Significantly higher values of global deformation of the left atrium, represented by the average value of the reservoir function, the average conduit strain and the mitral valve E wave velocity/mitral A wave velocity ratio, were noticed in the athletes group. We infer the cause lies in the better compliance of LA, associated with increased left atrium passive emptying volumes.