Previous data have demonstrated that left atrial (LA) minimum volume indexed for body surface area (LAVImin) is more strongly associated with the Doppler echocardiographic E/e' ratio than LA maximum volume index (LAVImax). We sought to explore if LAVImin was more closely related to serum levels of NT-proBNP than LAVImax and E/e' in the community. A community-based sample of 730 subjects underwent echocardiographic examinations and NT-proBNP measurements. The mean age of the participants was 66.3 years (range 38-86) and 72% were men. Age (Spearman correlation [rho] 0.533), LAVImin (rho 0.460), LAVImax (rho 0.360), estimated glomerular filtration rate (rho -0.349), and E/e' (rho 0.301; all P < 0.001) were strongly correlated with log-NT-proBNP. In a multiple linear regression model with log-NT-proBNP as dependent variable and LAVImin, LAVImax, E/e' ratio, and potential confounders as predictors, an adjusted R(2) of 44.9% was obtained. When excluding either of LAVImin (R(2) 42.6%, P < 0.001) or E/e' (R(2) 44.6%, P = 0.019) the model fit was significantly reduced. In contrast, when LAVImax was excluded the model fit was preserved (R(2) 45.0%, P = 0.69). To detect an NT-proBNP level of >125 ng/L, LAVImin yielded a significantly larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.749 than LAVImax (AUC 0.701; P < 0.001) and E/e' (AUC 0.661; P < 0.001). In our community-based sample, LAVImin was more strongly associated with NT-proBNP than LAVImax. Moreover, the discriminatory power to detect an elevated NT-proBNP level was stronger in LAVImin than in LAVImax and E/e'. Our findings support previous data that LAVImin may be more closely related to LV filling function than LAVImax.
Keywords: Doppler echocardiography; General population; Left atrial volumes; NT-proBNP.