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)