Radiofrequency ablation procedures inside the left atrial appendage (LAA) are likely to involve dangerous complications because of a high thrombogenic effect. Cryoablation procedures are supposed to be safer. We describe two cases of successful cryoablation procedures. Two NavX-guided cryoablations of permanent focal atrial arrhythmias arising from the LAA were performed. Left atrial reconstruc...

Purpose: Patients with atrial fibrillation are at an increased risk of having a cardio embolic stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Current guidelines recommend an antithrombotic regimen to prevent thromboembolism in medium and high risk patients with AF. However, a substantial number of patients are not eligible for this therapy. The exclusion of the left atrial...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the incidence of incomplete ligation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) during mitral valve surgery. BACKGROUND Ligation of the LAA to prevent future thromboembolic events is commonly performed during mitral surgery. However, success in completely excluding the appendage from the circulation has never been systematically assessed. METHODS Using tran...

Mean systemic pressure-flow (Ps-Q) and volume-flow (V-Q) relationships of the systemic vascular bed were determined in two groups of dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (group I) and with methoxyflurane (group II). All blood returning to the heart (Q) was removed from the right atrial appendage and passed through a Starling resistor, a pump, a flowmeter , and then returned directly into...

Congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the left atrial appendage is a rare but correctable lesion. It represents a diagnostic dilemma in patients with cardiomegaly and is commonly associated with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolization. We describe the diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment during 1997 of a patient with congenital aneurysmal dilatation of the ...

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has recently been shown to be up-regulated in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study was aimed to determine whether the pathogenesis and development of AF is associated with the up-regulation of TLR2. Clinical data and right atrial appendage (RAA) specimens were collected from 20 patients with persisten AF (PeAF), 15 patients with paro...

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with a significantly increased risk of embolic stroke due to blood clot forming predominantly in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Preventive measures to avoid embolic events are permanent administration of anticoagulants or surgical closure of the LAA. Various clinical trials provide evidence about safety, effectiveness and therapeutic success of L...

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia associated with significant mortality and morbidity secondary to thrombo-embolism. To prevent this thrombo-embolism oral anticoagulation therapy is the recommended treatment. In patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation therapy, percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion device is indicated. TEE is essential to guide in all the s...

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a long, hook-like true diverticulum of the left atrium (LA). While parallel-running pectinate muscles are contained within the tubular LAA (Fig. 1), the body of the LA is a smooth-walled structure.1–3 The LAA lies within the pericardium, next to the superior lateral aspect of the main pulmonary artery, and superior to the left ventricular free wall.3 It is oft...

AIMS Studies have demonstrated shortening of the atrial effective refractory period (ERP) after episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF). This is termed atrial remodelling. It is unclear whether restoration of SR after persistent AF in patients with a clinical substrate results in reversal of this shortening and whether this is maintained long term. METHODS AND RESULTS The ERP was determined at m...