CONCLUSION
Creating reliable reference values for LA S/SR is challenging, and the
present results confirm good intrastudy reproducibility, with mean
values in the upper range of previous meta-analyses. In the near future,
automated border detection algorithms may be required to generate highly
reproducible normal values. Furthermore, our study showed atrial S/SR as
an additional indicator of elevated NT-proBNP levels in the general
population, demonstrating the incremental value of both ATS and PACS in
addition to conventional and ventricular strain echocardiography. Thus,
the LA S/SR may be regarded as an important addition to the
multiparametric approach used for evaluating LV filling.