Impairment of left atrial appendage function after spontaneous conversion of atrial flutter

This paper reports a patient in atrial flutter who spontaneously converted to sinus rhythm while undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram. Atrial appendage flow velocities were noted to be significantly decreased after conversion to sinus rhythm. Spontaneous contrast also developed in the left at...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical cardiology (Mahwah, N.J.) N.J.), 1998-10, Vol.21 (10), p.769-771
Main Authors: Kontos, Michael C., Paulsen, Walter H.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atrial flutter
Atrial Flutter - diagnosis
Atrial Flutter - physiopathology
Atrial Function, Left
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiology. Vascular system
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Heart
Heart Atria - physiopathology
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Short Communication
Short Communications
transesophageal echocardiogram
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed
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:This paper reports a patient in atrial flutter who spontaneously converted to sinus rhythm while undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram. Atrial appendage flow velocities were noted to be significantly decreased after conversion to sinus rhythm. Spontaneous contrast also developed in the left atrium shortly after conversion. Spontaneous cardioversion may be associated with decreased mechanical activity of the left atrium and appendage, resulting in “stunning.” This provides a possible explanation for the occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients without apparent thrombus before cardioversion.
ISSN:0160-9289
1932-8737
DOI:10.1002/clc.4960211015