Relation of left atrial volume index with subclinical atherosclerosis at patients with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the frequency of cardivovascular events by causing atherosclerosis and impairment at left ventricle structure and function. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is an early finding of subclinical cardiac injury. Left atrial volume may be used as an indicator for demonstrating severity and duration of DD. With this study, we investigated the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis ,evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and subclinical cardiac injury evaluated by diastolic functions and left atrial volume index (LAVI) in MetS patients. 82 patients with MetS were enrolled to the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to CIMT measurement: 35 patients with CIMT≥1.0 mm were at group 1 and 47 patients with CIMT<1.0 mm were at group 2. Systolic and diastolic functions were evaluated, LAVI was calculated. Frequency of DD was found statistically significantly higher in group 1 (p=001). There was no difference between groups for grade I DD and grade (p=0079). LAVI values were calculated as 32.6±6.0 ml/m2 and 26.6±4.7 ml/m2 at group 1 and 2,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference between two groups.When correlation with LAVI was investigated,a positive correlation with CIMT was observed. When correlation between data from conventional and tissue Doppler imaging and LAVI was evaluated,there were positive correlations for left ventricle mass index, septal and lateral E/Em rates, and negative correlations for septal and lateral Em/Am rates. LAVI was found to be high in-patient with higher CIMT value which is non-invasive indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. In addition, in all patients, a relation was observed between presence and severity of diastolic dysfunction and increase in LAVI value.