Key result
TEE identifies a thrombogenic environment in ~31% of NVAF patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc scores.
Why the study?
Clinical scoring systems fail to identify left atrial thrombus in some patients, and the role of TTE and TEE in refining thromboembolic risk stratification required evaluation.
Does transesophageal echocardiography improve thromboembolic risk stratification compared to clinical scores alone in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=100)
Yes
Does transesophageal echocardiography improve thromboembolic risk stratification compared to clinical scores alone in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?
Transesophageal echocardiography identifies high-risk thrombogenic features in nearly a third of AF patients classified as low-risk by clinical scores, highlighting its value in refining thromboembolic risk stratification.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Should not yet change anticoagulation decisions in low-risk AF; leaves open whether TEE improves stratification over clinical scores.
Hadari et al. (2024) conducted an observational in Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (n=100). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was evaluated on Presence of high thromboembolic risk echocardiographic factors. Transesophageal echocardiography identified signs of a thrombogenic environment in 30.7% of non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who had low clinical risk scores (CHA2DS2-VASc 0-1).
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