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Left atrial (LA) size has been shown to be a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the direct effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on left atrial volume and phasic functions by using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in a population of patients free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed on 40 consecutive patients with DM (20 male, age: 50.5 ± 7.3 years) and 40 healthy controls (20 male, age: 48.4 ± 6.7 years). In addition to conventional 2D echocardiographic measurements RT3DE was performed to assess LA volumes and phasic functions.

There were no significant difference between groups regarding parameters reflecting LV systolic function as LV diameters and ejection fraction. However, regarding parameters reflecting LV …