Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation: Role of the Left Atrial Appendage

Payam Safavi-Naeini; Abdi Rasekh

doi:10.1016/j.ccep.2019.11.003

Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation: Role of the Left Atrial Appendage

Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2020 Mar;12(1):13-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2019.11.003. Epub 2019 Dec 25.

Authors

Payam Safavi-Naeini¹, Abdi Rasekh²

Affiliations

¹ Electrophysiology Clinical Research and Innovation, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
² Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6624 Fannin Street Suite 2480, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Cardiology, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: arasekh@bcm.edu.

PMID: 32067643
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2019.11.003

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. Patients with AF have a higher risk for thromboembolism than individuals without AF. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main source of thromboembolism because of its anatomic, mechanical, and electrophysiologic properties, and accounts for more than 90% of thrombus formation in patients with AF. Advancement in imaging expands knowledge about anatomic and physiologic characteristics of LAA. The risk of thromboembolism events in patients with AF depends on clinical comorbidities and structural and physiologic parameters of atria, especially LAA. This article discusses AF-related thromboembolic events and the role of the LAA.

Keywords: AF-related stroke; AF-related thromboembolism; Atrial fibrillation; Left atrial appendage.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Atrial Appendage* / anatomy & histology
Atrial Appendage* / pathology
Atrial Appendage* / physiology
Atrial Appendage* / physiopathology
Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
Atrial Fibrillation* / physiopathology
Humans
Stroke / etiology*
Thromboembolism / etiology*