AIMS Although left atrial appendage spontaneous echo contrast (LAASEC) is a marker of increased thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation, it has previously only been evaluated qualitatively. We sought to determine if an intravenous contrast echocardiographic agent combined with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the LAA could accurately quantify LAA-SEC in patients with atrial fibrillation. ME...

BACKGROUND Atrial 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging was used for the characterization of left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) flow dynamics in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging measured in vivo 3D blood flow velocities in 60 AF patients and 15 controls. Anatomic maps of LA and LAA stasis and velocity were calculated to ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the interobserver variability between two observers from different echocardiographic laboratories. DESIGN Two observers reviewed video recordings blinded to the other's diagnosis. In part I (n = 88), they determined interobserver variability for spontaneous echo contrast, left atrial thrombi, and appendage thrombi. No diagnostic criteria for thrombi were defined. In part I...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and has been identified as an independent risk factor for stroke. Prevention of thromboembolic events has been based on oral anticoagulation (OAC) using Vitamin K antagonists (VKA). However, long-term OAC medication is limited by an increased bleeding risk and a low patient compliance. Relying on the observation that the m...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is significant atrial or atrial appendage enlargement or functional remodelling as a result of one to two months of sustained atrial fibrillation, a duration similar to that experienced by patients undergoing warfarin anticoagulation before elective cardioversion. METHODS To test the hypothesis that left atrial and left atrial appendage enlargement develop...

Helmsley Electrophysiolo New York; yUniversity Department, Homo ular Center Frankfurt, n Bruder, Regensburg, G he ASAP trial. Drs. Redd received grant support an r of the Watchman device tionships relevant to the c pt received December 26 ed March 19, 2013. he purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (A...

Heart failure and atrial fibrillation are common conditions which frequently co-exist. In patients with established systolic and diastolic dysfunction, atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke, mortality and reduces quality of life. Recent advances in implantable device technology have improved the detection of atrial fibrillation and reduced the time to intervention. Rate control remai...

BACKGROUND Memory is a diverse biological phenomenon whose importance in the ventricle has been demonstrated. We hypothesized its occurrence in the atrium, contributing to the modulation of cardiac rhythm. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed P and Ta waves in conscious chronically instrumented dogs with complete heart block. Animals were atrioventricularly sequentially paced at 5% greater than th...

Left atrial appendage (LAA) plays a crucial role as a source of atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, the need to close LAA becomes evident in patients with AF who undergo concomitant mitral valve surgery. Unfortunately, it has been reported a high rate of unsuccessful LAA occlusion, regardless of the technique employed.We propose a safe and simple method for LAA occl...

Aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is extremely rare, and afflicted patients most commonly present with atrial tachyarrhythmia or thromboembolism. For these patients, resection of the aneurysm is the recommended and preferred therapy. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who was found incidentally to have a large aneurysm of the left atrial appendage presenting as atrial fibrillation. ...