Left atrial volume and function in patients with Behcet-s disease assessed by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract

Aims Behcet-s disease (BD), a multisystemic inflammatory disorder, has been associated with a number of cardiovascular dysfunctions, including endomyocardial fibrosis of the right heart, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The incidence and nature of cardiac involvement in BD are not yet clearly documented. Our aim was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and functions using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in Behcet-s patients without any cardiac symptom.