scholarly journals Left Atrial Appendage Remodeling after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichi Zhang ◽  
Abdel Hadi El Hajjar ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Aneesh Dhore-Patil ◽  
Mario Mekhael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Af Ablation

Introduction: Larger left atrial appendage (LAA) ostium area and greater left atrial (LA) volume have been associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to morphological and functional changes within the LA and LAA, some of which are not well studied. Here, we present findings regarding post-ablation changes of the LAA ostia and correlate them with various LA, LAA and left ventricular (LV) functional and morphological metrics. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients scheduled to undergo first-time radiofrequency CA for AF. Catheter ablation techniques included PVI with or without additional ablations. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was used to assess LA, LAA and LV morphology and function, including LAA ostium area, LA/LAA volume and volume index, LA ejection fraction, LA strain, and LV ejection fraction. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used for correlating LAA ostial dimensions with other LA morphological and functional metrics. The t-test or two-sample Wilcoxon test were used to compare LA and LAA morphological parameters. Results: A total of 101 patients with AF were included in this study. The mean age was 60.1 ± 11.1 years, 69% were male, the average BMI was 29.22 ± 5.08. The LAA ostial area reduced significantly from 3.84 ± 1.15 cm before ablation to 3.42 ± 0.96 cm after ablation (p=0.0004). This reduction was asymmetrical, as the minor axis length decreased from 1.92 cm to 1.77 cm without significant changes in the major axis. LVEF increased from a pre-ablation average of 48.26% to a post-ablation average of 53.62% (p=0.015). Correlation of pre-ablation LVEF and LAA ostium area showed a near-significant negative trend (r=-0.21, p=0.083). LAEF correlated negatively with LAA ostial area (r=-0.289, p=0.0057), total LA strain (r=-0.248, p=0.0185), and passive LA strain (r=-0.208, p=0.049). Conclusion: There is a significant asymmetrical reduction of the LAA ostial area after AF ablation that is independent of LVEF changes. Larger LAA ostial area was associated with lower LAEF and LA strain. Remodeling of the LAA after AF ablation may help account for reduced risk of stroke and increased cardiac function.

scholarly journals Left atrial appendage thrombosis in a patient with Friedreich Ataxia–related cardiomyopathy, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2050313X2110564
Author(s):  
Michele Russo ◽  
Annachiara Nuzzo ◽  
Matteo Foschi ◽  
Simona Boarin ◽  
Stefano Lorenzetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Friedreich Ataxia ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Friedreich ataxia is the most common form of hereditary ataxia. Heart involvement in Friedreich ataxia is common and can include increased left ventricular wall thickness, atrial fibrillation, and in the later stages, a reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction. We present the case of a 45-year-old man with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ⩾ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke, vascular disease, age 65–74 years, and female sex (CHA2DS2-VASc) score of only 1 (because of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction) who presented with pneumonia and was also found to have atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Despite already being on long-term therapy with a non-vitamin K-antagonist oral anticoagulant, a transesophageal echocardiogram showed a mobile floating thrombus in the left atrial appendage. In accordance with previous necropsy evidence of thrombosis and thromboembolism in Friedreich ataxia subjects who likely have had only non-sex-related CHA2DS2-VASc score ⩽1, this case suggests that the risk of thromboembolism in Friedreich ataxia subjects with atrial fibrillation may not be adequately predicted by the sole CHA2DS2-VASc score.

scholarly journals Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Associated with the Risk of Thrombus in the Left Atrial Appendage in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska ◽  
Paweł Krzesiński ◽  
Agnieszka Jurek ◽  
Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka ◽  
Iwona Gorczyca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Introduction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high risk of ischemic stroke. The most frequent thrombus location in AF is the left atrial appendage (LAA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a basic diagnostic examination in patients (pts) with AF. Objectives. To analyse the relations between basic echocardiographic features, well-established stroke risk factors, type of AF, and anticoagulation therapy with the incidence of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT). Patients and Methods. The study group consisted of 768 pts with AF (mean age, 63 years), admitted to three high-reference cardiology departments. Five hundred and twenty-three pts were treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 227 (30%) with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The subjects underwent TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before cardioversion or ablation. Results. LAAT was significantly more frequent in pts with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): in 10.6% (7 pts) with LVEF<40% and in 9.0% (9 pts) with LVEF 40-49%, while only in 5.5% (33 pts) with LVEF>50%. Compared to pts without LAAT, those with LAAT presented with lower LVEF and higher left atrial diameter (LAD). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following variables as independent predictors of LAAT: previous bleeding, treatment with VKA, and LVEF. Conclusion. LAAT is related to lower LVEF and higher LAD. LVEF is one of the independent predictors of LAAT. Even in the case of adequate anticoagulant therapy, it might be prudent to consider TEE before cardioversion or ablation in patients with low LVEF and LA enlargement, especially in the coexistence of other thromboembolic risk factors.

scholarly journals Left atrial appendage velocity as an instrument of predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence after successful catheter ablation – a useful tool?

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Grade Santos ◽  
K Budzak ◽  
J Simoes ◽  
M Martinho ◽  
B Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Left Atrium ◽  
Linear Correlation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
Volumetric Assessment

Abstract Introduction Catheter ablation for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a modality of treatment in growing expansion. However the sustained long term response in preventing AF recurrence is poor for most patients, namely in those with a dilated left atrium. Purpose Our aim was to assess the utility of an echocardiographic parameter for left atrium function, the left atrial appendage velocity (LAAV), in predicting recurrences after catheter ablation. Methods We performed a 9 year retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent a successful catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and had a valid pre-procedural transesophagic echocardiogram in a single expert centre. Medical records were analysed for demographic, procedural data and outcomes. Results Seventy-three (73) patients fulfilled all inclusion criteria and were analysed. The mean age was 62±11 with a male preponderance (58,7%). The majority of patients (82,7%) had preserved left ventricle ejection fraction. Only 46% of patient had a volumetric assessment of the left atrium dimensions prior to ablation, with slight, moderate and severe dilation of the left atrium in 20%; 8,6% and 28,6% of patients. Of the patients subjected to an AF ablation the average LAAV was 50,6±19 cm/s, with 78% of patients with normal atrial appendage velocities. Patients with low LAAV (&lt;40cm/s) had a higher proportion of AF recurrences at 3 and 6 months (58,3 vs 12,8% and 89% vs 21,7%; p&lt;0,05 for all) with a linear correlation between the presence of recurrences and LAAV (LAAV of 39,1 vs 57,5 cm/s; p&lt;0,05 OR 0,91 (CI 95% = 0,85–0,97); r2=0,34 at 3 months and LAAV of 43,5 vs 59 cm/s; p=0,01; OR 0,94 (CI 95% = 0,89–0,99); r2=0,24 at 6 months respectively). There was a trend towards association with recurrences at 1 year although it did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the use of antiarritmic drugs, either prior or post ablation, in both groups. It was not possible to assess the additive predictive value to the left atrium dimensions due to the low percentage of volumetric assessment of left atrium prior to AF ablation. Conclusions Patients with low left atrial appendage velocities had a lower long term success rate of catheter ablation, with higher rates of recurrence at 3 and 6 months and a trend towards higher recurrences at 1 year, with linear correlation which hypothesises the use of the left atrial appendage velocity as novel predictive parameter for an integrative model. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

scholarly journals Predicting Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus from Left Atrial Volume and Confirmation by Computed Tomography with Delayed Enhancement

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-85
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Osawa ◽  
Rine Nakanishi ◽  
Indre Ceponiene ◽  
Negin Nezarat ◽  
William J. French ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Cardiac Computed Tomography ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Atrial Volume ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus

Assessing thromboembolic risk is crucial for proper management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Left atrial volume is a promising predictor of cardiac thrombosis. To determine whether left atrial volume can predict left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation, we conducted a prospective study of 73 patients. Left atrial and ventricular volumes were evaluated by cardiac computed tomography with retrospective electrocardiographic gating and then indexed to body surface area. Left atrial appendage thrombus was confirmed or excluded by cardiac computed tomography with delayed enhancement. Seven patients (9.6%) had left atrial appendage thrombus; 66 (90.4%) did not. Those with thrombus had a significantly higher mean left atrial end-systolic volume index (139 ± 55 vs 101 ± 35 mL/m2; P =0.0097) and mean left atrial end-diastolic volume index (122 ± 45 vs 84 ± 34 mL/m2; P =0.0077). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, left atrial end-systolic volume index (per 10 mL/m2 increase) was significantly associated with left atrial appendage thrombus (odds ratio [OR]=1.24; 95% CI, 1.03–1.50; P =0.02); so too was the left atrial end-diastolic volume index (per 10 mL/m2 increase) (OR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.60; P =0.02). These findings suggest that increased left atrial volume increases the risk of left atrial appendage thrombus. Therefore, patients with atrial fibrillation and an enlarged left atrium should be considered for cardiac computed tomography with delayed enhancement to confirm whether thrombus is present.

scholarly journals Left atrial appendage orifice area and morphology is closely associated with flow velocity in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Chen ◽  
Changjiang Xu ◽  
Wensu Chen ◽  
Chaoqun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Mechanical Function ◽  
Orifice Area ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Thromboembolic events are the most serious complication of atrial fibrillation (AF), and the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most important site of thrombosis in patients with AF. During the period of COVID-19, a non-invasive left atrial appendage detection method is particularly important in order to reduce the exposure of the virus. This study used CT three-dimensional reconstruction methods to explore the relationship between LAA morphology, LAA orifice area and its mechanical function in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods A total of 81 consecutive patients with NVAF (36 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 45 cases of persistent atrial fibrillation) who were planned to undergo catheter radiofrequency ablation were enrolled. All patients were examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), TEE, and computed tomography angiography (CTA) before surgery. The LAA orifice area was obtained according to the images of CTA. According to the left atrial appendage morphology, it was divided into chicken wing type and non-chicken wing type. At the same time, TEE was performed to determine left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV), and the relationship between the left atrial appendage orifice area and LAAFV was analyzed. Results The LAAFV in Non-chicken wing group was lower than that in Chicken wing group (36.2 ± 15.0 cm/s vs. 49.1 ± 22.0 cm/s, p-value < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, the LAAFV in Non-chicken wing group was lower than that in Chicken wing group in the paroxysmal AF (44.0 ± 14.3 cm/s vs. 60.2 ± 22.8 cm/s, p-value < 0.05). In the persistent AF, similar results were observed (29.7 ± 12.4 cm/s vs. 40.8 ± 17.7 cm/s, p-value < 0.05). The LAAFV in persistent AF group was lower than that in paroxysmal AF group (34.6 ± 15.8 cm/s vs. 49.9 ± 20.0 cm/s, p-value < 0.001). The LAAFV was negatively correlated with left atrial dimension (R = − 0.451, p-value < 0.001), LAA orifice area (R= − 0.438, p-value < 0.001) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (R= − 0.624, p-value < 0.001), while it was positively correlated with LVEF (R = 0.271, p-value = 0.014). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that LAA morphology (β = − 0.335, p-value < 0.001), LAA orifice area (β = −  0.185, p-value = 0.033), AF type (β = − 0.167, p-value = 0.043) and LVMI (β = − 0.465, p-value < 0.001) were independent factors of LAAFV. Conclusions The LAA orifice area is closely related to the mechanical function of the LAA in patients with NVAF. The larger LAA orifice area and LVMI, Non-chicken wing LAA and persistent AF are independent predictors of decreased mechanical function of LAA, and these parameters might be helpful for better management of LA thrombosis.

Abstract 13956: Cystatin C Based Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate is a Feasible Parameter for Incident Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoto Hashimoto ◽  
Satoshi Nishiyama ◽  
Tetsu Watanabe ◽  
Masahiro Wanezaki ◽  
Gensai Yamaura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cystatin C ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Chads2 Score ◽  
Left Atrial Volume Index ◽  
Ckd Stage

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important risk factor of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Since AF patients with high CHADS2 score are likely to be old and have history of TIA or stroke, there could be patients who have sarcopenia. Cystatin C based estimated glomerular filtrarion rate (eGFRcys) is less affected by age, gender and muscle mass compared to creatine based eGFR (eGFRcr). We investigated whether eGFRcys is more closely associated with incident stroke in AF patients compared to eGFRcr. Methods: We performed transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and measured eGFRcys and eGFRcr in 349 patients with paroxysmal AF and chronic AF (256 males, 64.4 ± 11.7 years). We excluded those who had severe valvular heart disease and end stage renal desease. There were 42 patients with stroke history. Results: eGFRcys showed better correlation with left atrial volume index, levels of brain natriuretic peptide, von Willebrand factor, and left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity, than eGFRcr. eGFRcys was decreased with increading CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc score. Patients with left atrial appendage and/or spontaneous echo contrast had a significantly lower eGFRcys compared to those without. The proportion of patients with stroke was increased with advancing CKD stage in eGFRcys. Although eGFRcys and eGFRcr were associated with stroke in logistic regression analysis, eGFRcys but not eGFRcr was an independent predictor for stroke after adjustment for CHADS2 score. Conclusion: eGFRcys is a feasible parameter for incident stroke in AF patients.

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