Automated LAQ Assessments in 4D
The program EchoPac-203 from GE Healthcare was used to import the images and evaluate their suitability for analysis. The analytical volume, and 4D Auto LAQ submodes were employed sequentially. Beginning the sampling technique, a location in the middle of the mitral orifice was selected in each of the three planes. The review function was used to create the LA strain and volume parameters. The end diastole of the left ventricle was used as a reference point. The LA wall grew during the reservoir phase, resulting in a positive strain value. In the last two steps of the length decrease of the LA wall, the strains had negative values. This method generated LA longitudinal strain parameters, including LA conduit strain (LAScd), LA reservoir strain (LASr), and LA contraction strain (LASct), as well as LA circumferential strain parameters, including LA conduit circumferential strain (LAScd-c), LA reservoir circumferential strain (LASr-c), and LA contraction circumferential strain (LASct-c) (LASct-c). [9, 12, 13] (Figure 1)