June 30, 2014Open Access
Techniques To Improve Left Atrial Appendage Imaging.
Key result
Transesophageal echocardiography with ultrasound contrast agent enhancement improves test feasibility, performance, and confidence of interpretation for left atrial appendage assessment.
Population
Patients requiring left atrial appendage imaging, particularly those with atrial fibrillation
Design
Review
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
May support contrast-enhanced TEE for LAA assessment in AF; leaves open need for prospective outcome trials.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Patients requiring left atrial appendage imaging, particularly those with atrial fibrillation
I
Intervention
Various imaging techniques including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), ultrasound contrast agents, and integrative multimodality imaging
This review highlights the utility of various imaging techniques, including TEE and multimodality imaging, for assessing left atrial appendage anatomy and function in clinical scenarios such as atrial fibrillation.
Limitations
- Cost of ultrasound contrast agents
- Reimbursement strategies with TEE
- Lack of awareness of potential benefit without significant risk
- Increased radiation dose from repeated CT imaging
- Risks reported with gadolinium based contrast agents in CMR
Cite This Study
Abdelmoneim et al. (2014) conducted a review in Atrial Fibrillation. Ultrasound contrast agents with transesophageal echocardiography vs. Non-contrast transesophageal echocardiography was evaluated. Transesophageal echocardiography with ultrasound contrast agent enhancement improves test feasibility, performance, and confidence of interpretation for left atrial appendage assessment.