Left Atrial Appendage Closure Guided by Integrated Echocardiography and Fluoroscopy Imaging Reduces Radiation Exposure.

Aims: To investigate whether percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure guided by automated real-time integration of 2D-/3D-transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy imaging results in decreased radiation exposure.

Methods And Results: In this open-label single-center study LAA closure (AmplatzerTM Cardiac Plug) was performed in 34 consecutive patients (8 women; 73.1±8.

Left atrial appendage morphology is closely associated with specific echocardiographic flow pattern in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: To assess the relation between left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology and echocardiographic flow pattern of the LAA by means of two- and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE).

Methods And Results: In a total of 131 patients with atrial fibrillation, LAA morphology was analyzed by 3D-TEE and classified into four types (Chicken Wing, Windsock, Cactus, Cauliflower). Left atrial appendage flow pattern as maximal LAA emptying flow velocity and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) were retrieved from 2D-TEE imaging in all patients.