Diagnosis and Management of Left Atrium Appendage Thrombosis in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Cardioversion

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and thromboembolic complications. A rhythm control strategy with both electrical and pharmacological cardioversion is recommended for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Anticoagul...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2019-08, Vol.55 (9), p.511
Main Authors: Melillo, Enrico, Palmiero, Giuseppe, Ferro, Adele, Mocavero, Paola Elvira, Monda, Vittorio, Ascione, Luigi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atrial fibrillation
cardioversion
left atrial appendage thrombosis
oral anticoagulation therapy
Review
transesophageal echocardiography
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and thromboembolic complications. A rhythm control strategy with both electrical and pharmacological cardioversion is recommended for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulant therapy for 3-4 weeks prior to cardioversion is recommended in order to avoid thromboembolic events deriving from restoring sinus rhythm. Transesophageal echocardiography has a pivotal role in this setting, excluding the presence of left atrial appendage thrombus before cardioversion. The aim of this review is to discuss the epidemiology and risk factors for left atrial appendage thrombosis, the role of echocardiography in the decision making before cardioversion, and the efficacy of different anticoagulant regimens on the detection and treatment of left atrial appendage thrombosis.
ISSN:1648-9144
1010-660X
1648-9144
1010-660X
DOI:10.3390/medicina55090511