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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
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Absent left atrial appendage in a patient with mitral stenosis
Neeta Bachani1, Rashmi Rao1, Alpa Bharati1
1Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Journal of Cardiology Cases
|February 24, 2026
Summary
Congenital absence of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a rare finding. Advanced imaging confirmed its absence in a patient with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis, impacting treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Severe rheumatic mitral stenosis necessitates evaluation for percutaneous balloon valvotomy.
- Assessing the left atrial appendage (LAA) for thrombus is crucial before such procedures.
- Congenital absence of the LAA is an extremely rare anomaly.
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