Diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for the malignant left atrial appendage: European Heart Rhythm Association physician survey.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Patients with atrial fibrillation who despite taking oral anti-coagulant therapy (OAT) suffer a stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) without vascular cause or who develop left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus (LAAT) should be considered as having malignant LAA. The optimal treatment strategy to reduce SSE risk in such patients is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for malignant LAA practiced in European cardiac centres.

Methods and results

An 18-item online questionnaire on malignant LAA was disseminated by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Scientific Initiatives Committee. A total of 196 physicians participated in the survey. There seems to be high confidence in transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging,

SUBMITTER: Anic A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10359107 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature