Mateescu AD, et al. - Researchers examined 361 cases with severe aortic stenosis (AS) (aortic valve area [AVA] index ≤ 0.6 cm²/m²) to evaluate the association between left atrial (LA) deformation and symptomatic status. In spite of higher indexed AVA in asymptomatic subjects, they found comparable LV ejection fraction and geometric parameters among participants. They observed higher brain natriuretic peptide values, average E/e′ ratio, and LA size in symptomatic candidates, but LV global longitudinal strain and peak LA longitudinal strain and strain rate parameters were lower vs asymptomatic individuals. Overall, they concluded AVA and peak systolic LA longitudinal strain rate as the solitary independent factors linked to heart failure symptoms.