Assessment of the Atria

Introduction

With each cardiac cycle, the left and right atria act as reservoirs, conduits, and pumps for blood traveling from the pulmonary and systemic veins into the ventricles. Normally functioning atria are compliant, with the ability to accommodate dynamic changes in intravascular volume without pathologic increases in pressure and are active pumps with the ability to enhance ventricular filling and cardiac output. Atrial structure and function can be characterized by echocardiography, which provides diagnostic and prognostic information.

Left Atrium