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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

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Relationship Between Circulatory Stasis in the Left Atrial Appendage Detected by Cardiac Computed Tomography

Shu Yang1,2, Jun Wang3, Ning Chen2

  • 1Division of Cardiology The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Taizhou Jiangsu China.

Journal of the American Heart Association
|January 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Circulatory stasis in the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a significant predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. Identifying LAA stasis can improve risk prediction for AF recurrence in patients undergoing ablation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia.
  • Catheter ablation is a standard treatment for AF.
  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) stasis is a potential risk factor for thromboembolic events in AF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between left atrial appendage (LAA) circulatory stasis and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation.
  • To determine if LAA stasis improves the prediction of AF recurrence.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study of 548 patients with nonvalvular AF undergoing initial catheter ablation.
  • Cardiac computed tomography angiography used to assess LAA circulatory stasis.
  • One-year follow-up to monitor for AF recurrence.

Main Results:

  • 131 patients (23.9%) had LAA circulatory stasis.
  • AF recurrence occurred in 39.1% of patients with LAA stasis vs. 19.4% without.
  • LAA stasis significantly predicted AF recurrence (adjusted HR, 2.41).
  • LAA stasis improved predictive accuracy of scoring systems for AF recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • Circulatory stasis in the LAA is a significant predictor of AF recurrence post-ablation.
  • Assessing LAA stasis can enhance risk stratification for AF recurrence.
Abstract

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationcardiac computed tomography angiographycatheter ablationcirculatory stasisrecurrence

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