BackgroundCardiac CT angiography (CCTA) has become an important adjunct in the structural assessment of the pulmonary veins (PV) prior to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Published data is conflicting regarding a relationship between left atrial appendage (LAA) and the risk of ischemic stroke (CVA) following PVI. We investigated the associations of volumetric and morphologic left atrial (LA) and LAA measurements for CVA following PVI.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 332 consecutive patients with drug refractory atrial fibrillation who obtained cardiac CT angiogram (CCTA) prior to PVI. Baseline demographic data, procedural and lab details, and outcomes were obtained from abstraction of an electronic medical records system. LA, LAA, and PV volumes were measured using CCTA datasets utilizing a semi-automated 3D workstation application. LAA morphology was assigned utilizing volume rendered images as previously described.ResultsThe study cohort was 55 ± 13 years-old, 83.7% male, low CVA risk (median CHA2DS2Vasc 1; IQR 1, 3), and 30.4% were treated with novel oral anticoagulants. Chicken wing (CW) was the most common morphology (52%), followed by windsock (WS), cauliflower (CF), and cactus (CS) at 18, 9, and 2%, respectively. CVAs occurred in 4 patients following PVI with median time to CVA of 170.5 days. All CVAs were observed in CW morphology patients. When comparing CW morphology with non-CW morphology, CVAs occurred more frequently with the CW morphology (2.1% vs 0%, p = 0.03). This difference was not significant, though, after adjusting for CHA2DS2Vasc risk factors (p = 0.14).ConclusionThe CW morphology was observed more commonly in patients who experienced post-PVI CVA. After adjusting for CHA2DS2Vasc risk factors, CW morphology was not an independent predictor of post-PVI CVA. These findings should be interpreted in the setting of a low CVA event rate amongst a low risk population that was highly compliant with indicated anticoagulation therapy.

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This study provides insight into past practices of invasive cardiopulmonary testing and furthers the understanding of metabolic and hemodynamic changes in a young population during supine submaximal exercise. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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It is rare that a left atrial appendage thrombus will grow to the extent that it can prolapse into the left ventricle. We report the case of a large prolapsing left atrial thrombus diagnosed by 3D echocardiography in a patient presenting with a transient ischemic attack.

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