Evaluating the novel parameters for assessing the LAA function and thrombus formation with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

• Published in: Saudi journal of biological sciences 2021-01, Vol.28 (1), p.560-565
• Main Authors: Li, Jian, Li, Quan, Alqahtany, Fatmah S., Algahtani, Farjah H., Kim, Hak-Jae, Li, Yang, Ock Kim, Young
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Function of left atrial appendage; Nov-valvular atrial fibrillation; Original; RT-3D-TEE; Thrombus
• ISSN: 1319-562X; 2213-7106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.10.041

The dysfunction of left atrial appendage (LAA) is prone to form thrombus when atrial fibrillation (AF) sustained more than 48 h. Traditional 2D-TEE (transesophageal echocardiography) can not accurate evaluate the function of LAA. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of LAA function parameters and thrombus formation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE). High risk patients can be identified according to the characteristics of ultrasonic index in patients with left atrial appendage thrombosis, which has important clinical value and significance in the risk assessment, guiding treatment and judging prognosis. We examined the relationship between the echocardiographic parameters of LAA function and the incidence of thrombus in 102 NVAF patients. They underwent RT-3D-TEE and left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT)/severe spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SSEC) was found in 67 patients (thrombus group) but absent in the remaining 35 patients (non-thrombus group). After measured by QLAB software, the LAA functional parameters were significantly associated with LAAT/SEC formation. Univariate analysis indicated that AF time, LAD, LVEF, LAA-OAmax, LAAVmax, LAAVI and LAAEF demonstrated a positive association (P