BACKGROUND : Left atrium  is not a simple passive transport chamber that transfers blood from the pulmonary circulation to the left ventricle. Various echocardiographic parameters were available for the evaluation of LA function.

AIMS OF  STUDY:  Evaluation of echocardiographic rhythm independent marker of LA function  Left Atrial Functional Index (LAFI)   using                                         TTE  in patients with AF and   diastolic  dysfunction and the comparison of this LAFI  to traditional parameters of    LA function.    

METHODS:    Study was conducted in 60 persons who attended the        cardiology  OPD for cardiac evaluation.

RESULTS:  The LAFI as measured by    Echo, is decreased in patients with diastolic dysfunction and also in persons with chronic AF.

CONCLUSION: The LAFI accentuates differences between groups as compared to traditional echo parameters of LA function. In the future, the LAFI may be used as a potential target for therapeutic maneuvers.