Abstract
This chapter mainly focuses on imaging techniques to assess the origin, dimensions, and morphologies of the left atrial appendage (LAA) and their clinical implication in thrombus formation and stroke in this patient population. The anticoagulation management after LAA electrical isolation is also discussed. Different patterns of blood flow in the LAA obtained by transesophageal echocardiogram are reviewed. A novel anticoagulation algorithm for patients with atrial fibrillation including the assessment of the LAA morphology is proposed. The chapter analyzes the available literate in a meta-analytical fashion in order to assess the clinical implications of LAA morphology as a predictor of thromboembolic cerebrovascular accident in patients with low to intermediate risk. The arrhythmogenic role of the LAA is also well known and at least 30% of patients with persistent AF have triggers in this area as the only source of arrhythmia, with no pulmonary vein or other extra-pulmonary vein trigger in 8.9% of the cases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cardiac Mapping |
| Publisher | wiley |
| Pages | 553-564 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781119152637 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781119152590 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 5 2019 |
Keywords
- Anticoagulation management
- Atrial fibrillation
- Image-based risk stratification
- Imaging techniques
- Left atrial appendage
- Stroke
- Thrombus formation
- Transesophageal echocardiogram
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine