Preserved Left Atrial Function Following Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Devices
• Cardiac Imaging

Background:

• Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) face high thromboembolism risk, often originating from the left atrial (LA) appendage.
• Left atrial appendage closure offers an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF patients unsuitable for such therapies.
• LA function is vital for cardiovascular health and is linked to AF recurrence, with deformation imaging quantifying myocardial performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of left atrial appendage closure on left atrial function in patients experiencing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, single-center study included 12 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing left atrial appendage closure.
• Echocardiography assessed LA global longitudinal strain, LA diameter, and LA volume index pre-procedure and at 6-month follow-up.
• All echocardiographic assessments were performed during sinus rhythm.

Main Results:

• Left atrial appendage closure did not significantly alter LA global longitudinal strain (-18.9 ± 2.8% vs. -19.6 ± 2.6%, P=.66).
• No significant changes were observed in LA size (49.1 ± 6.1 mm vs. 50.5 ± 5.2 mm, P=.45) or LA volume index (51.6 ± 4.6 mL/m² vs. 52.1 ± 4.1 mL/m², P=.49).
• These findings indicate preserved LA function post-procedure.

Conclusions:

• Left atrial appendage closure appears to preserve left atrial function in patients with paroxysmal AF.
• Strain imaging confirms maintained LA function after appendage closure in patients in sinus rhythm.
• This supports LA appendage closure as a method to maintain cardiac function while preventing stroke.