Key result
AF is linked to larger, predominantly tube-shaped LAAs with lower emptying fractions versus ASD.
Why the study?
Left atrial appendage morphology in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation or congenital atrial septal defects was studied to inform design of new LAA-occluding devices.
What are the morphological differences in the left atrial appendage between Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation and those with atrial septal defects?
Observational (n=75)
What are the morphological differences in the left atrial appendage between Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation and those with atrial septal defects?
LAA morphology differs significantly between AF and ASD patients, which should inform the design of new LAA-occluding devices.
LAA morphology data in Chinese AF/ASD patients are hypothesis-generating; larger studies needed before informing device design or practice.
OBJECTIVE: Using angiography, this study examined left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or congenital atrial septal defects (ASD), to provide data that might aid the design of new LAA-occluding devices to prevent cardioembolism and stroke in patients with AF. METHODS: Patients with AF or ASD were enrolled. The LAA was visualized angiographically; its dimensions were measured and the emptying fraction was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with AF and 30 patients with ASD were included in the study. LAA morphology was classified into eight categories. The majority of patients with AF had tube-shaped LAAs with a single lobe; the most common LAA morphologies in patients with ASD were irregular or sphere-like, with multiple lobes. Patients with AF had significantly larger LAAs with significantly lower emptying fractions compared with LAAs of patients with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: The LAA demonstrated considerable morpho logical variability in terms of its size, shape and number of lobes. The design of new occluding devices must take into account the size and shape of the LAA in patients with AF.
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Chen et al. (2012) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation or congenital atrial septal defects (n=75). Atrial fibrillation vs. Congenital atrial septal defects was evaluated on Left atrial appendage morphology, dimensions, and emptying fraction. Patients with atrial fibrillation (n=45) had significantly larger left atrial appendages with lower emptying fractions and predominantly tube-shaped morphology compared to patients with ASD (n=30).
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