Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
23:33
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
84.5K
Complex Left Atrial Appendage Morphology Is an Independent Risk Factor for Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke
Indranill Basu-Ray1,2, Deepthi Sudhakar3, Gregory Schwing4
1Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, United States.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|November 22, 2018
Summary
Complex left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology may independently contribute to cryptogenic strokes. Chicken-wing LAA morphology showed higher flow rates in simulations, suggesting a potential mechanism for thromboembolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ischemic strokes are a major health concern, with 20-40% having unknown causes.
- Left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology is a potential, understudied factor in thromboembolic events.
- Understanding LAA morphology's role in cryptogenic stroke is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between LAA morphology and cryptogenic stroke.
- To compare LAA morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation-related stroke versus cryptogenic stroke.
- To explore the functional implications of different LAA morphologies using computational models.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) data.
- Classification of LAA morphology into simple (chicken-wing) and complex (non-chicken wing) types.
- Computational modeling to simulate blood flow dynamics within different LAA morphologies.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in LAA volume, size, or velocities between simple and complex morphologies.
- Complex LAA morphology was more prevalent in patients with cryptogenic stroke without atrial fibrillation.
- Simulations indicated a four-fold higher flow rate in chicken-wing LAA morphology.
Conclusions:
- Complex LAA morphology may be an independent risk factor for cryptogenic strokes.
- The chicken-wing LAA morphology's unique flow dynamics warrant further investigation.
- Elucidating the LAA morphology-thromboembolism link can improve stroke prevention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
13.5K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.5K
01:09Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
848
In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...
848
01:23Surface Appendages of Archaea
665
Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
665
01:21Introduction to Test of Independence
3.0K
In statistics, the term independence means that one can directly obtain the probability of any event involving both variables by multiplying their individual probabilities. Tests of independence are chi-square tests involving the use of a contingency table of observed (data) values.
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:
3.0K
01:16Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence
8.2K
The test of independence is a chi-square-based test used to determine whether two variables or factors are independent or dependent. This hypothesis test is used to examine the independence of the variables. One can construct two qualitative survey questions or experiments based on the variables in a contingency table. The goal is to see if the two variables are unrelated (independent) or related (dependent). The null and alternative hypotheses for this test are:
H0: The two variables (factors)...
H0: The two variables (factors)...
8.2K
02:03Law of Independent Assortment
62.7K
While Mendel’s Law of Segregation states that the two alleles for one gene are separated into different gametes, a different question of how different genes are inherited remains. For example, is the gene for tall plants inherited with the gene for green peas? Mendel asked this question by experimenting with a dihybrid cross; a cross in which both parents are homozygous for two distinct traits resulting in an F1 generation that are heterozygous for both traits.
62.7K