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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

[Role of echocardiographic assessment of the left atrial appendage in clinical practice]

Attila Pálinkás1, Zoltán Jambrik, Albert Varga

  • 1Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Szent-Györgyi Albert Orvos- és Gyógyszerésztudományi Centrum, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, II. Sz. Belgyógyászati Klinika és Kardiológiai Központ. palinkasa@hotmail.com

Orvosi Hetilap
|March 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Transesophageal echocardiography can detect left atrial appendage thrombus and assess its anatomy, dimensions, and flow patterns. This provides crucial diagnostic and prognostic information beyond just thrombus exclusion.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • The left atrial appendage is a common source of cardiac thrombus, leading to systemic embolism.
  • Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enables accurate in vivo evaluation of the left atrial appendage.
  • While thrombus exclusion is primary, TEE offers additional clinically significant data through detailed ultrasonographic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize existing literature on the echocardiographic evaluation of the left atrial appendage.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on echocardiographic assessment of the left atrial appendage.
  • Analysis of data regarding thrombus detection, anatomical variations, dimensions, prethrombotic states, and flow patterns.

Main Results:

  • TEE is effective in detecting left atrial appendage thrombus.
  • Beyond thrombus, TEE can evaluate anatomical variations and dimensions.
  • Assessment of prethrombotic states and specific flow patterns is also achievable.

Conclusions:

  • Echocardiographic evaluation of the left atrial appendage extends beyond thrombus detection.
  • Detailed assessment includes anatomical variations, dimensions, prethrombotic states, and flow patterns.
  • These findings have significant diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Abstract

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