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Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Left atrial appendage morphology with the progression of atrial fibrillation
Yoichi Takaya1, Rie Nakayama1, Fumi Yokohama1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Insights
Left atrial appendage (LAA) size increases with atrial fibrillation (AF) progression. Long-standing persistent AF is associated with significantly larger LAA dimensions, impacting transcatheter closure indications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Left atrial appendage (LAA) size is a key factor in determining the need for transcatheter LAA closure.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with varying classifications based on duration and pattern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between different types of atrial fibrillation and LAA morphology.
- To assess if LAA dimensions differ across non-AF, paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and long-standing persistent AF patient groups.
Main Methods:
- A total of 299 patients were analyzed, categorized into four groups: non-AF, paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and long-standing persistent AF.
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was utilized to evaluate LAA morphology, including ostial diameter and depth, and LAA flow velocity.
Main Results:
- Patients with long-standing persistent AF exhibited significantly larger LAA ostial diameter and depth compared to other groups.
- LAA ostial diameter increased progressively with AF duration, correlating with LA volume index and continuous AF duration.
- LAA flow velocity was lower in patients with long-standing persistent AF.
Conclusions:
- LAA size increases with the progression of atrial fibrillation.
- Understanding LAA morphology variations across AF types is crucial for guiding transcatheter LAA closure procedures.
Abstract:
Left atrial appendage (LAA) size is crucial for determining the indication of transcatheter LAA closure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in LAA morphology according to the types of atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 299 patients (mean age: 67 ± 13 years) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Patients were classified into non-AF (n = 64), paroxysmal AF (n = 86), persistent AF (n = 87), or long-standing persistent AF (n = 62). LAA morphology, including LAA ostial diameter and depth, was assessed using TEE. Patients with long-standing persistent AF had larger LAA ostial diameter and depth and lower LAA flow velocity. The maximum LAA ostial diameter was 19 ± 4 mm in patients with non-AF, 21 ± 4 mm in patients with paroxysmal AF, 23 ± 5 mm in patients with persistent AF, and 26 ± 5 mm in patients with long-standing persistent AF. LAA ostial diameter was increased by 2 or 3 mm with the progression of AF. LAA ostial diameter was correlated with LA volume index (R = 0.37, P < 0.01) and the duration of continuous AF (R = 0.30, P < 0.01), but not with age or the period from the onset of AF. In conclusion, LAA size was increased with the progression of AF.
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