Comparison of left atrial and left atrial appendage mechanics in the risk stratification of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

Figures

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  Fig. 1. LA and LAA strain curves from speckle-tracking in patients with stroke (a, b) and without stroke (c, d). Yellow crosses indicate the positive peaks of each curve. LA and LAA MD was calculated as the SD of time to peak and expressed as a percentage of the R-R interval. The patients with stroke showed higher LA and LAA MD. LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; MD, mechanical dispersion

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  Fig. 2. Results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for identifying stroke in all patients. AUC, area under the curve; GLS, global longitudinal strain; LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; MD, mechanical dispersion

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  Fig. 3. The prevalence of stroke according to LA or LAA MD and CHA2DS2-VASc score. LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; MD, mechanical dispersion

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  Fig. 4. Incremental values of LA and LAA MD for stroke risk stratification. a The initial model based on clinical and conventional echocardiographic parameters as well as strains was significantly improved by the addition of LA MD and further improved by adding LAA MD. b The same initial model was also significantly improved by the addition of LAA MD and further improved by adding LA MD. AF, atrial fibrillation; GLS, global longitudinal strain; i, indexed to body surface area; LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; LAAEV, LAA emptying velocity; MD, mechanical dispersion; SEC, spontaneous echo contrast; Vmax, maximal volume

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  Fig. 5. Results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for identifying stroke in patients with normal LA volumes (iLAVmax < 34 mL/m2) (a) and patients with abnormal LA volumes (iLAVmax ≥34 mL/m2) (b). AUC, area under the curve; GLS, global longitudinal strain; i, indexed to body surface area; LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; MD, mechanical dispersion; Vmax, maximal volume