scholarly journals Stroke risk assessment in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation to consider performing pre-cardioversion transesophageal echocardiography

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2783
Author(s):  
E. S. Mazur ◽  
V. V. Mazur ◽  
N. D. Bazhenov ◽  
Yu. A. Orlov
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Low Risk

Aim. To study the potential of stroke risk assessment to evaluate the probability of detecting left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) to consider performing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before cardioversion.Material and methods. TEE before elective cardioversion was performed in 590 patients with persistent AF, of whom 316 (53,6%) had a high stroke risk (valvular AF, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, CHA2DS2-VASc score >1 in men and >2 in women), and 274 (46,4%) — not high. Adequate anticoagulation at least 3 weeks prior to elective cardioversion was received by 164 (51,9%) patients with a high stroke risk and 151 (55,1%) patients with a low risk. The rest of patients either did not receive adequate anticoagulation or received it for less than 3 weeks.Results. In the group of patients who received anticoagulation at least 3 weeks, LAA thrombus was detected in 23 (14,0%) patients with a high stroke risk and in 8 (5,3%) patients with a low risk (p<0,05). In patients who did not receive adequate anticoagulation or received it for less than 3 weeks, LAA thrombus was identified in 60 (39,5%) patients with a high stroke risk and in 22 (17,9%) patients with a low risk (p<0,005). Thus, a  high stroke risk almost 3 times increases the likelihood of LAA thrombus detection in patients who did not receive adequate anticoagulation (odds ratio, 2,99; 95% confidence interval: 1,70-5,26;p<0,001) and in patients receiving adequate anticoagulation (odds ratio, 2,92; 95% confidence interval: 1,26-6,74; p=0,012).Conclusion. In patients with persistent AF with a low stroke risk according to CHA2DS2-VASc score, TEE before sinus rhythm restoration in patients without 3-week anticoagulation should be considered. In patients with a high stroke risk, performing pre-cardioversion TEE is advisable even after adequate anticoagulation.

The Left Atrial Appendage, Including LAA Occlusion Devices Line Watchman, Amulet, and Lariat

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Deegan ◽  
Christopher R. Ellis ◽  
Jeremy M. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Alternative Strategies

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia whose prevalence is expected to increase significantly as the population ages. The associated stroke risk is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Stroke prevention by anticoagulation carries its own risks, leading to the search for alternative strategies. Multiple techniques have been developed to exclude the left atrial appendage (the main source of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation) from the circulation. Such techniques offer the hope of stroke prevention without the risks of anticoagulation. This article describes the percutaneous approaches being currently performed in the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of transesophageal echocardiography to guide these procedures.

P3731The improvement in left atrial strain among patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage closure

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ijuin ◽  
A Hamadanchi ◽  
F Haertel ◽  
L Baez ◽  
C Schulze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Closure ◽  
Left Atrial Strain

Abstract Background Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is being established as an alternative option for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with high bleeding risk. Few studies reported the influence of percutaneous LAAC on left atrial (LA) performance, but most of the studies demonstrated no remarkable changes in their parameters after the procedure. Method The study included 95 patients (age: 75±6.7 years, 67% male) whom underwent percutaneous LAAC in a single center between September 2012 and November 2018. LA strain was evaluated at three different time intervals by transesophageal echocardiography (baseline, 45 days and 180 days after procedure). All data were analyzed using a dedicated. 70 patients had atrial fibrillation whereas 25 were in sinus rhythm. Analysis was performed for peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) from segment of lateral wall in mid-esophageal 4 chamber view. The validity of lateral wall left atrial analysis was recently shown by our group. PACS was obtained in patients with sinus rhythm during exams. Results Compared to baseline, PALS was significantly increased after 45 days (12.4±8.4% vs 16.0±10.7%, p=0.001) and remained stable after 180 days (13.8±9.0% vs 17.0±12.4%, p=0.098). Even in only patients with atrial fibrillation during exams, it was increased (10.8±7.7% vs 13.4±7.1%, p=0.012 and 8.5±5.1% vs 13.9±8.1%, p=0.014). Similarly, compared with the baseline, PACS was significantly increased after 45 days and 180 days (5.8±3.9% vs 10.6±7.6%, p=0.001 and 4.5±2.6% vs 7.9±3.1%, p=0.036). The Changes in PALS and PACS Conclusion Our study has demonstrated for the first time the improvement in LA strain following LAAC within 45 days of implantation by transesophageal echocardiography and these values were maintained at least for 6 months. Further appraisal is warranted for confirmation of these preliminary findings.

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