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Left atrial appendage morphology and cardiac function in patients with sinus rhythm

Megumi Shimada1, Makoto Akaishi2, Takayuki Kobayashi3

  • 1Department of General Internal Medicine, Tokai University Oiso Hospital, 21-1 Gakkyo, Oiso-machi, Nakagun, Kanagawa, 259-0198, Japan. shimadam@tokai.ac.jp.

Journal of Echocardiography
|January 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology impacts cardiac function in patients with sinus rhythm. Non-chicken wing LAA shapes are linked to reduced atrial function and strain, suggesting impaired cardiac performance.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a primary source of cardiac thrombus.
  • LAA morphology is linked to stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.
  • This study investigates LAA morphology and cardiac function in sinus rhythm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the correlation between LAA morphology and cardiac function.
  • To assess cardiac function using transthoracic echocardiography in patients with sinus rhythm.
  • To determine if LAA shape influences cardiac performance in the absence of arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

  • 55 patients underwent cardiac CT and transthoracic echocardiography.
  • LAA morphology categorized into chicken wing (CW) and non-CW types.
  • Cardiac function assessed via ejection fraction, LA/LAA volumes, A' velocity, global longitudinal strain, and tissue mitral annular displacement.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in LVEF, LA, or LAA volumes between CW and non-CW groups.
  • Non-CW LAA morphology was associated with lower A' velocity, global longitudinal strain, and tissue mitral annular displacement.
  • Non-CW LAA morphology correlated with reduced LAS strain and lower LAA volume change during the cardiac cycle.

Conclusions:

  • Impaired left atrial (LA) and LAA functions are associated with specific LAA morphologies in sinus rhythm.
  • Non-CW LAA morphology may indicate reduced atrial and LAA function.
  • LAA morphology is a relevant factor in assessing cardiac function even in sinus rhythm.
Abstract

Keywords:
Computed tomographyEchocardiographyLeft atrial appendageLeft atrial functionSinus rhythm

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