Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
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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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Differentiating LAA Thrombus From Spontaneous Echo Contrast for Safe LAA Occlusion

Ashraf Sliem1, Steven Douedi2, Chunheung Chen2

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, New Jersey, USA.

JACC. Case Reports
|April 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion prevents stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. Differentiating LAA thrombus from sludge using advanced imaging is crucial for safe device implantation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is a key stroke prevention strategy for atrial fibrillation patients unable to use anticoagulation.
  • LAA thrombus identification is critical, as it contraindicates device implantation.
  • Distinguishing thrombus from spontaneous echo contrast (sludge) on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) poses a diagnostic challenge.

Keywords:
anticoagulationatrial fibrillationcontrast agentechocardiographyimaginginotropes

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