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Hagendorff A, Stöbe S, Helfen A, Knebel F, Altiok E, Beckmann S, Bekfani T, Binder T, Ewers A, Hamadanchi A, Freyhaus HT, Groscheck T, Haghi D, Knierim J, Kruck S, Lenk K, Merke N, Pfeiffer D, Dorta ER, Ruf T, Sinning C, Wunderlich NC, Brandt R, Ewen S. Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial appendage morphology and function-an expert proposal by the German Working Group of Cardiovascular Ultrasound. Clin Res Cardiol 2025; 114:25-40. [PMID: 39196343 PMCID: PMC11772409 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-024-02492-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The left atrial appendage is a blind ending cardiac structure prone to blood stasis due to its morphology. This structure is a preferred region of thrombogenesis in relation to reduced myocardial contractility of the atrial wall. Blood stasis occurs primarily in low flow conditions. One of the tasks of echocardiography is the analysis of morphology and function of the left atrial appendage. The detection of thrombi by echocardiography is difficult and must be carried out thoroughly and carefully to avoid potential complications-especially in the context of rhythm control. The assessment of thromboembolic risk, especially in patients with unknown and presumed atrial fibrillation is a second challenge by characterizing atrial function and flow conditions in the left atrial appendage. Thus, this proposal focuses on the obvious problems of echocardiography when assessing left atrial appendage and the role of this method in planning a potential interventional closure of left atrial appendage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hagendorff
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Leipzig AöR, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Stephan Stöbe
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Leipzig AöR, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Helfen
- Department of Kardiologie, Katholische St. Paulus Gesellschaft, St.-Marien-Hospital Lünen, Lünen, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Cardiology, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ertunc Altiok
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Beckmann
- Privatpraxis Kardiologie, Beckmann Ehlers Und Partner, Berlin-Grunewald, Germany
| | - Tarek Bekfani
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Magdeburg AöR, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Binder
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital AKH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aydan Ewers
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ali Hamadanchi
- Department of Cardiology, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Henrik Ten Freyhaus
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Groscheck
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Magdeburg AöR, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dariush Haghi
- Kardiologische Praxisklinik Ludwigshafen-Akademische Lehrpraxis of the University of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Jan Knierim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Paulinenkrankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kruck
- Praxis Für Kardiologie Cardio Centrum Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Lenk
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Leipzig AöR, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicolas Merke
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Elena Romero Dorta
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Berlin, Deutsches Herzzentrum Charité Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Ruf
- Department of Cardiology, Center of Cardiology, Heart Valve Center, University Medical Center Mainz, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christoph Sinning
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, German Centre of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Roland Brandt
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Klinik GmbH, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ewen
- Department Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Schwarzwald-Baar Klinik, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
- University Heart Center Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Freiburg, Germany
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Irzmański R, Pawlicki L, Charłusz M, Kowalski J. Concentration of natriuretic peptides in patients suffering from idiopathic arterial hypertension and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction confirmed by echocardiography. Clin Exp Hypertens 2012; 34:530-40. [PMID: 22783987 DOI: 10.3109/10641963.2012.702831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Concentration of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in arterial hypertension (AH) patients is higher than that in healthy people. One of the first symptoms of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The aim of this study was to examine whether determination of NPs in blood can be a useful indicator of LVDD detection in idiopathic AH patients. The study was conducted on three groups of patients: group Ia, 19 patients (average age 57 ± 3) with eccentric hypertrophy; group Ib, 13 patients (59 ± 4) with concentric hypertrophy; group II, 33 patients (58 ± 4) without AH or LVH. In all groups, mitral inflow profile was evaluated with Doppler test to detect LVDD, blood flow in upper right pulmonary vein, and concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal ANP (N-ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal BNP (N-BNP). In group Ia, significant correlations were observed between the following pairs: ratio of maximum early to late mitral inflow and ANP; deceleration time of early mitral inflow speed and ANP; atrial contraction (AR) and ANP; atrial contraction (AR) and N-ANP; similarly, in group Ib, significant correlations were observed between the following: relative wall thickness and BNP; isovolumic relaxation time and BNP; AR and BNP; relative wall thickness and N-BNP; isovolumic relaxation time and N-BNP; AR and N-BNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Irzmański
- Laboratory of Ergonomics and Exercise Physiology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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Korantzopoulos P, Liu T, Milionis HJ, Li G, Goudevenos JA. 'Lone' atrial fibrillation: hunting for the underlying causes and links. Int J Cardiol 2009; 131:180-185. [PMID: 18687489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2008] [Revised: 04/27/2008] [Accepted: 06/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The presence of lone atrial fibrillation presupposes the absence of structural heart disease, hypertension, or other known predisposing factors. However, several recent clinical and experimental data provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of lone atrial fibrillation. In addition, modern diagnostic techniques often reveal some previously unappreciated abnormalities. Therefore, the increasing recognition of potential causes and links sets the base for a more complete elucidation of its etiology in the near future. This concise review article discusses the contemporary advances in the understanding of this form of atrial fibrillation.
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Sitges M, Teijeira VA, Scalise A, Vidal B, Tamborero D, Collvinent B, Rivera S, Molina I, Azqueta M, Paré C, Brugada J, Mont L. Is there an anatomical substrate for idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation? A case–control echocardiographic study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:294-8. [PMID: 17416909 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eum045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM Idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in patients with apparently normal heart. Its mechanisms may be complex and are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether patients with idiopathic AF have any structural abnormality that may explain the occurrence of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS A case-control study was undertaken including 60 consecutive patients (mean age 48 +/- 12 years; 75% men) with idiopathic AF admitted to the emergency department. Sixty sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers made up the control group. An echocardiogram was performed in all patients and volunteers to assess the left atrial (LA) and ventricular (LV) dimensions and valvular function. LV diastolic function was also evaluated by analysis of the LV inflow and pulmonary vein flow velocity patterns and tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus. All AF patients showed normal echocardiographic studies with similar LV dimensions, ejection fraction, and diastolic function when compared with normal controls. However, patients with AF had larger LA dimensions (27 +/- 3 vs. 24 +/- 3 mm/m(2)), LA area (10 +/- 2 vs. 8 +/- 2 mm(2)/m(2)), and LA volume (27 +/- 9 vs. 19 +/- 6 mL/m(2)) (P < 0.05 for all). Among patients with AF, there were no differences in LA size between patients with a first episode or recurrent paroxysmal episodes. CONCLUSION Patients with idiopathic AF showed larger left atria when compared with controls, there being no differences between patients with a first episode or a recurrence. This suggests the presence of an enhanced substrate to develop idiopathic lone AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sitges
- Department of Cardiology, Thorax Institute, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Villarroel 136, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
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