We measured left atrial (LA) dimension and LAEF by VVI using transthoracic echocardiography, and LAA emptying velocity, spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), and LAAEF by VVI using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 142 consecutive patients with nonvalvular AF. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 38) or absence (n = 104) of LAA thrombus.
There was a good correlation between the VVI method and manual-tracing method for LAAEF and LAEF of patients with AF (r = 0.97, r = 0.96, respectively, p < 0.001). LAAEF in AF with thrombus was significantly reduced compared with AF without thrombus (16.9 卤 3.1%and 29.0 卤 9.7%, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, LAAEF, SEC, and prior stroke were independent determinants of LAA thrombus. Using 20%of LAAEF as a cutoff value, the sensitivity was 92%and specificity was 88%for LAA thrombus.
The VVI method was reliable in the measurement of LAAEF and LAEF compared with the manual-tracing method. LAAEF assessed by the VVI method using TEE was related to the presence of LAA thrombus.