title: Assessment of Left Atrial Appendage Morphology and Function in Patients with Non-valvular Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation with Different Rhythms Using Real-Time 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and function of the left atrial appendage (LAA) in different rhythms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PaAF) patients using real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography. This study included 46 patients with PaAF-24 with PaAF with sinus rhythm (PaAF-S) and 22 with PaAF with fibrillation (PaAF-F)-and 23 healthy volunteers. Real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography images of the LAA were acquired in all patients. LAA end-diastolic volume increased in PaAF-S and PaAF-F, whereas LAA end-systolic volume increased only in PaAF-F. LAA emptying index, end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume were strongly negatively correlated. LAA emptying index was positively correlated with percentage changes in LAA area and diameter, as well as flow velocity. The co-occurrence of spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus gradually increased in the PaAF-F group, compared with the PaAF-S group. The morphology and change in function of the LAA in patients with paroxysmal PaAF can be evaluated with superior feasibility and reproducibility using real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography. Morphologic changes in the LAA appeared earlier than changes in LAA function during the course of PaAF. Spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus co-occurred more often in PaAF-F than in PaAF-S.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, First People's Hospital, Jiaxing, China.
authors.forename: Huihong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Mingming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: zbwcjp@163.com.
authors.forename: Bowen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Function; Left atrial appendage; Morphology; Real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography