Prevalence and predictors of left atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation: is transesophageal echocardiography necessary before cardioversion?

Background: Systemic embolization threatens patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The risk is enhanced at the time of cardioversion. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to cardioversion to screen for left atrial thrombus (LAT), a marker of high risk for embolization, is recommended for many patients with AF.