title: Left atrial appendage function assessed by transesophageal echocardiography before and on the day after elective cardioversion for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
abstract: We investigated left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography, on the day after external electrical cardioversion to sinus rhythm, in 41 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. After cardioversion, appendage contraction synchronized with the electrical and mechanical activity of the atrium, which was restored in about 70% of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiologia, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bellotti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spirito
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lupi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vecchio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged