Left atrio-vertebral ratio: A new computed-tomography measurement to identify left atrial dilation

LAVR is a simple new measure directly scaling the left atrial diameter to the anthropomorphic characteristics of the patient. In our series, a ratio above 2.1 is strongly associated with cardiogenic pulmonary oedema indirectly suggesting left atrial dilation. The results were significantly different between the two populations of patients (no heart condition versus cardiogenic pulmonary oedema) suggesting a high potential for clinical application.