Evaluation of LA Dynamics: a Classical Yet Still Challenging Topic until Now

Abstract

As is well known, the left atrium (LA) is usually thought of as a way to supply blood flow to the left ventricle (LV) (the conduit function) as well as a place to store blood (the reservoir function); however, the LA also satisfies an important active pumping role in filling the ventricles with blood (the booster pump function). The principal function of the LA is to modulate LV filling and cardiovascular performance. The atrial booster pump function reflects the magnitude and timing of atrial contractility, but is dependent on the degree of venous return (atrial pre-load), LV end-diastolic pressures