title: Left atrial appendage morphology is closely associated with specific echocardiographic flow pattern in patients with atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relation between left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology and echocardiographic flow pattern of the LAA by means of two- and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a total of 131 patients with atrial fibrillation, LAA morphology was analyzed by 3D-TEE and classified into four types (Chicken Wing, Windsock, Cactus, Cauliflower). Left atrial appendage flow pattern as maximal LAA emptying flow velocity and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) were retrieved from 2D-TEE imaging in all patients. In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), Chicken Wing morphology was associated with a higher LAA emptying flow velocity (difference of means = -11.7, 95% CI 4.6-19.3, P = 0.003) and a reduced prevalence of SEC (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1-9.3, P = 0.025) compared with all other LAA types (so-called 'Non-Chicken Wing' LAA). These alterations were irrespective of the underlying type of AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-Chicken Wing LAA morphologies are associated with a specific echocardiographic flow pattern in patients with AF. Since evidence exists that LAA flow pattern are indicative of an enhanced risk of thrombus formation, 3D-TEE might be a valuable tool warranting future studies to test whether these morphological and functional characteristics permit risk stratification in AF.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Adalbert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roehrich
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Dong-In
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany Department of Electrophysiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany.
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelm
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, University Duesseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, Duesseldorf 40225, Germany evasusanne.kehmeier@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
authors.forename: Eva S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kehmeier
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: 3D transoesophageal echocardiography; Atrial fibrillation; Left atrial appendage; Morphology; Thrombus formation