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Miki Y, Uchida Y, Tanaka A, Tobe A, Sakakibara K, Kataoka T, Niwa K, Furusawa K, Ichimiya H, Watanabe J, Kanashiro M, Ishii H, Ichimiya S, Murohara T. Clinical Significance of the Left Atrial Appendage Orifice Area. Intern Med 2022; 61:1801-1807. [PMID: 34776484 PMCID: PMC9259814 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8301-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The left atrial appendage (LAA) is one of the major sources of cardiac thrombus formation. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) made it possible to perform a detailed evaluation of the LAA morphologies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of the LAA orifice area. Methods A total of 149 patients who underwent TEE without significant valvular disease were studied. The LAA orifice area was measured using three-dimensional TEE. The patients were divided into two groups according to the LAA orifice area (large LAA orifice group, ≥median value, and small LAA orifice group). The clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings were evaluated. Results The median LAA orifice area among all patients was 4.09 cm2 (interquartile range 2.92-5.40). The large LAA orifice group were older (67.2±10.4 vs. 62.4±15.3 years, p=0.02), more often had hypertension (66.7% vs. 44.6%, p=0.007), and atrial fibrillation (70.7% vs. 39.2%, p<0.001) than the small LAA orifice group. Regarding the TEE findings, the LAA flow velocity was significantly lower (33.7±20.0 vs. 50.2±24.3, p<0.001) and spontaneous echo contrast was more often observed (21.3% vs. 8.1%, p=0.02) in the large LAA orifice group. Multivariate models demonstrated that atrial fibrillation was an independent predictor of the LAA orifice area. In the analysis of atrial fibrillation duration, the LAA orifice area tended to be larger as patients had a longer duration of atrial fibrillation. Conclusion Our findings indicated that a larger LAA orifice area was associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation and high thromboembolic risk based on TEE findings. A continuation of the atrial fibrillation rhythm might lead to the gradual expansion of the LAA orifice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Miki
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Cardiology, Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Uchida
- Department of Cardiology, Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital, Japan
| | - Akihito Tanaka
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tobe
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Keisuke Sakakibara
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takashi Kataoka
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Niwa
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Kenji Furusawa
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | | | - Junji Watanabe
- Department of Cardiology, Yokkaichi Municipal Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Hideki Ishii
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Toyoaki Murohara
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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Cimmino G, Loffredo FS, Gallinoro E, Prozzo D, Fabiani D, Cante L, Salerno G, Cappelli Bigazzi M, Golino P. Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: An Emerging Option in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at High Risk of Bleeding. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:444. [PMID: 34063719 PMCID: PMC8147783 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57050444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia with an estimated prevalence of 1% in the general population. It is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, silent cerebral ischemia, and cognitive impairment. Due to the blood flow stasis and morphology, thrombus formation occurs mainly in the left atrial appendage (LAA), particularly in the setting of nonvalvular AF (NVAF). Previous studies have shown that >90% of emboli related to NVAF originate from the LAA, thus prevention of systemic cardioembolism is indicated. According to the current guidelines, anticoagulant therapy with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), represents the standard of care in AF patients, in order to prevent ischemic stroke and peripheral embolization. Although these drugs are widely used and DOACs have shown, compared to VKAs, non-inferiority for stroke prevention with significantly fewer bleeding complications, some issues remain a matter of debate, including contraindications, side effects, and adherence. An increasing number of patients, indeed, because of high bleeding risk or after experiencing life-threatening bleedings, must take anticoagulants with extreme caution if not contraindicated. While surgical closure or exclusion of LAA has been historically used in patients with AF with contradictory results, in the recent years, a novel procedure has emerged to prevent the cardioembolic stroke in these patients: The percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). Different devices have been developed in recent years, though not all of them are approved in Europe and some are still under clinical investigation. Currently available devices have shown a significant decrease in bleeding risk while maintaining efficacy in preventing thromboembolism. The procedure can be performed percutaneously through the femoral vein access, under general anesthesia. A transseptal puncture is required to access left atrium and is guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Evidence from the current literature indicates that percutaneous LAAO represents a safe alternative for those patients with contraindications for long-term oral anticoagulation. This review summarizes scientific evidences regarding LAAO for stroke prevention including clinical indications and an adequate patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cimmino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
| | - Francesco S. Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
- Molecular Cardiology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gallinoro
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Cardiovascular Center Aalst, OLV Clinic, 9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Dario Prozzo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Dario Fabiani
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
| | - Luigi Cante
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
| | - Gemma Salerno
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
| | | | - Paolo Golino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (E.G.); (D.P.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (P.G.)
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.B.)
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