Right atrial strain in a normal adult African population according to age.

BACKGROUND: Right atrial longitudinal strain (RALS) is a useful parameter to define right atrial (RA) subclinical dysfunction prior to changes in RA dimension and volume. We sought to establish normal values for RALS in a sub-Saharan African population.

METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study from 2017 to 2019 of 100 normal individuals. All echocardiographic measurements were done as per the standard guidelines.

RESULTS: Mean RALS was 32.7 ± 10.5%. The mean RA volume indexed to body surface area was 19.5 ± 5.7 ml/m2 . There was a negative correlation between RALS and age but it was not statistically significant ( r = -0.15, p = 0.129). Males had a tendency towards higher RA volume indexed and RALS measurements compared to females (20.8 ± 6.3 and 18.7 ± 5.2 ml/m2 , p = 0.07; 34.6 ± 9.6 and 31.4 ± 10.9%, p = 0.141, respectively). Body mass index was an independent predictor of RALS ( r = -0.43, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: We have provided normative data for RALS in an African population. This study provides a platform for future larger studies on RALS.