Study on the predictive value of left atrial volume index for the prognosis of patients with heart failure

This prospective cohort study investigated the predictive value of left atrial volume index (LAVI) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in heart failure patients. A total of 240 patients were divided into four groups based on LAVI values (normal, mild, moderate, and severe enlargement) and followed for 24 months. Clinical data, laboratory indicators, and echocardiographic parameters were collected. The severe enlargement group showed significantly higher NYHA functional class and NT-proBNP levels, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared to other groups (p<0.001). LAVI demonstrated significant positive correlation with NT-proBNP (r=0.682, p<0.001) and negative correlation with LVEF (r=-0.596, p<0.001). During follow-up, 62 MACE occurred (25.8%), and multivariate Cox regression analysis identified LAVI as an independent predictor of MACE (HR=1.865, 95%CI: 1.324-2.627, p<0.001). The 24-month event-free survival rates were 83.3%, 77.4%, 70.7%, and 65.0% for normal, mild, moderate, and severe enlargement groups, respectively. These findings suggest that LAVI is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure patients, with higher LAVI associated with worse cardiac function and increased risk of MACE, indicating its potential value in risk stratification and prognostic assessment of heart failure patients.