What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to compare the efficacy of intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography in detecting thrombus in the left atrial appendage among atrial fibrillation patients.

March 7, 2026Open Access

Comparison between intracardiac and transesophageal echocardiography for the detection of thrombus in the left atrial appendage in relation to in-hospital and one-year outcome among patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides comparable left atrial appendage thrombus detection and similar safety outcomes to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Key Points

The research aims to compare the efficacy of intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography in detecting thrombus in the left atrial appendage among atrial fibrillation patients.
Evaluated left atrial appendage thrombus detection using intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography.

Structured PICO

Does intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provide comparable detection of left atrial appendage thrombus and safety outcomes compared to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?

Population

Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation

Intervention

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)

Comparator

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Outcome

Detection of thrombus in the left atrial appendage and in-hospital and one-year outcomessurrogate

Intracardiac echocardiography may be a safe and effective alternative to transesophageal echocardiography for detecting left atrial appendage thrombus prior to atrial fibrillation ablation.

Abstract

ICE may allow for LAA thrombus detection comparable to TEE with similar safety outcomes.

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