Does Left Atrial Appendage Morphology Influence Left Atrial Appendage Flow Velocity?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Atrial Fibrillation Research

Background:

• Left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology may influence thrombus formation.
• The chicken wing (CW) LAA type is considered less associated with stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF).
• Investigating LAA shape's impact on LAA function is crucial for understanding AF-related stroke risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if LAA morphology influences LAA function.
• To explore the relationship between LAA shape, LAA flow velocity (LAAFV), and stroke risk factors in AF patients.

Main Methods:

• 102 AF patients underwent echocardiography, TEE, and cardiac CT before catheter ablation.
• LAA morphology was classified into CW (bent) and non-CW (NCW, no bends) types.
• LAAFV was measured, with <35 cm/s defined as low LAAFV and >35 cm/s as normal LAAFV.

Main Results:

• The NCW type was found in 25% of patients.
• Low LAAFV was significantly associated with the NCW LAA type (OR 9.664, P=0.0429).
• Low LAAFV also correlated with higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (OR 1.012, P=0.0350).

Conclusions:

• The NCW LAA morphology and elevated BNP are associated with reduced LAA flow velocity.
• Lower LAAFV in NCW-type LAA may contribute to increased cardiogenic stroke risk in AF patients.