['Left atrial volume (LAV) is an independent echocardiographic predictor of cardiovascular events in the general population. We evaluated predictors of LAV in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).', 'Increasing LAV identifies increased cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD.', 'Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in CKD patients undergoing cardiovascular evaluation prior to listing for renal transplantation. LAV was measured using the biplane area-length formula and indexed for body surface area. Carotid intima-media thickness was assessed by B-mode ultrasound. Lipoproteins were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Values are presented as mean (standard deviation). Relationships with LAV were evaluated using univariate and multivariable regression analyses.', 'There were 99 participants (80% white, 68% male). Their mean age was 55.7 (9.3) years. Significant correlates of LAV were systolic blood pressure (r = 0.24), C-reactive protein (r = 0.29), carotid intima-media thickness (r = 0.29), peak transmitral E-wave (r = 0.38), and severity of mitral regurgitation (r = 0.23, P < 0.05 for all). LAV also was higher among individuals with a history of stroke (45 mL/m2 vs 36.3 mL/m2, P = 0.04) and with >75% stenosis on coronary angiography (38.4 mL/m2 vs 31.8 mL/m2, P = 0.03). In regression models, high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), the transmitral E-wave velocity, and a history of stroke independently predicted LAV (P < or = 0.05).'] Is left atrial volume associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis in patients with kidney disease?