Relevance of transthoracic left atrial appendage wall velocity measurement in addition to left atrial volume for noninvasive and quantitative assessment of left atrial thrombogenesis in patients with atrial fibrillation and normal D-dimer levels.

Purpose: This study examined the role of left atrial (LA) appendage wall velocity (LAAWV) measurement in addition to LA size for the noninvasive assessment of thrombogenesis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal plasma D-dimer levels.

Methods: In 58 non-valvular AF patients, LAAWV and the LA volume index (LAVI) were determined by transthoracic echocardiography. LA appendage flow velocity and severity of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) were determined by transesophageal echocardiography.

Effects of Dabigatran on the Resolution of Left Ventricular Thrombus after Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a risk factor for embolic complications. Although warfarin has traditionally been used to treat LVT, it has relevant disadvantages that limit its use. We herein describe the case of a 78-year-old man with AMI who had a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

High plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide and reduced transthoracic left atrial appendage wall-motion velocity are noninvasive surrogate markers for assessing thrombogenesis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: The clinical relevance of examining human atrial natriuretic peptide (HANP) or left atrial appendage (LAA) wall-motion velocity during sinus rhythm in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients has not been clearly elucidated.

Methods: The subjects were 38 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography during sinus rhythm. The presence of spontaneous echocontrast (SEC) was examined with transesophageal echocardiography and LAA wall-motion velocity (LAAWV) was measured with transthoracic tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial function in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation and the dependency on its baseline function.

Background: The effects of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in atrial fibrillation (AF) on left atrial (LA) function or PV flow have not been well documented.

Methods: We examined the LA function and PV flow before and 3-6 months after PV isolation in 67 AF patients (34 paroxysmal [PAF] and 33 persistent [CAF]) using transesophageal echocardiography.

Results: AF recurred in 6/34 patients with PAF and in 6/33 patients with CAF 6 months after PV isolation.

Interventricular septal mass in a patient with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that may involve multiple organ systems. The prognosis of sarcoidosis is influenced by the presence and severity of cardiac lesions. Thinning of the wall in the ventricular septum has often been reported, whereas an interventricular septal mass is rare.