Search Results (23)

To help assess the relationship between N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and feline cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism (ATE), the objective of this retrospective study was to compare plasma NT-proBNP concentrations between cats with cardiomyopathy that developed ATE (ATE group) and cats with occult cardiomyopathy that did not develop ATE within 1 year of testing (occult cardiomyopathy [OCM] group). Cats with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (CHF) but no ATE (CHF group) were included for comparison. Cats with cardiomyopathy that had NT-proBNP testing were classified into ATE, OCM, or CHF groups. Clinical, echocardiographic, treatment, and NT-proBNP data from medical records were reviewed and compared among groups. A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to develop a cutoff point for NT-proBNP. Cats were then compared based on this cutoff point. The ATE group (n = 25) had significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations than the OCM group (n = 31; p < 0.001); there was no significant difference in NT-proBNP concentrations between the ATE and CHF groups (p = 0.92). The estimated optimal NT-proBNP cutoff point to separate OCM and ATE groups was 491 pmol/L (sensitivity = 96.0%, specificity = 93.5%). Cats with NT-proBNP > 491 pmol/L had a larger left atrium, thicker left ventricle, lower fractional shortening, and higher prevalence of spontaneous echogenic contrast and left atrial thrombi on echocardiography. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating findings suggest that NT-proBNP concentrations > 491 pmol/L may help detect cats with OCM at risk for ATE, but given the limitations of this retrospective study, prospective studies are needed to evaluate the potential utility of this measurement. Full article

Background: Large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes account for a significant proportion of ischemic strokes and are often cardioembolic in origin, particularly following atrial fibrillation (AF) with thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Although direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) therapy reduces stroke risk in AF, anatomical and flow-related factors may still allow thrombi to form and persist, revealing the limitations of anticoagulation in high-risk patients. Examining structural and hemodynamic factors contributing to thrombus persistence is essential for optimizing patient management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 169 AF patients with LVO stroke who underwent cardiac CT (cCT) during acute stroke assessment. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of persistent LAA thrombi and further stratified by DOAC status. LAA volume, blood stasis and left ventricular (LV) diameter were measured. Thrombi were assessed using Hounsfield Unit (HU) analysis to evaluate potential differences in thrombus composition. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of thrombus persistence with adjustment for DOAC therapy. Results: Persistent LAA thrombi were identified in 23 patients (13.6%). Patients with thrombi had significantly higher rates of stasis (p = 0.004), larger left ventricular diameters (p = 0.0019) and higher LAA volumes (p = 0.004). When adjusted for DOAC therapy, larger LAA volume (OR 1.05, p = 0.011), presence of LAA stasis (OR 6.14, p = 0.013) and increased LV diameter (OR 1.06, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of thrombus persistence. Thrombus size and HU values did not differ significantly between DOAC and non-DOAC groups. Notably, 30.4% of patients with persistent thrombi were on adequate DOAC therapy. Conclusions: LAA volume, stasis and LV enlargement predict thrombus persistence in the LAA of AF patients with LVO stroke, even under adequate DOAC therapy. These findings highlight the potential need for alternative antithrombotic strategies, including interventional LAA occlusion, and warrant further investigation into individualized stroke prevention in high-risk AF populations. Full article

Introduction: Due to the aging population, the number of elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindications for anticoagulation due to bleeding complications is growing. After the epicardial ligation of the left atrial appendage (LAA), anticoagulation can be omitted. We present the single-center procedure data and long-term data of octogenarians being treated with LARIAT^®. Method: Out of 145 patients eligible for the epicardial ligation of the LAA, 45 were older than 80 y and included in this analysis. After successful ligation, patients were screened at 6 weeks of follow-up (FUP), at 12 weeks and after 12 months for transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and clinical events. During long-term FUP, TOE sessions and clinical events for embolic events and death were documented. Results: The procedure was successful in 93% of patients, with a mean CHA₂DS₂VASC score of 4.6 and HASBLED score of 3.7 and a mean age of 82 y. One major complication occurred, with the laceration of the LAA and surgical closure of the LAA with an Atriclip. The 6-week FUP data were available in 39 patients, with the detection of four leaks (1–3 mm, median 2 mm) and three thrombi; one thrombus occurred at the site of a leak. The 12-week FUP (in 26 patients) showed that three leaks were closed, one leak persisted and one new thrombus developed at the site of the leak. All thrombi were resolved. The 12-month FUP showed the persistent resolution of three thrombi; one thrombus recurred after the withdrawal of the anticoagulant, and no new gap or thrombus could be detected. The long-term FUP (mean 38 months) was documented in 30 patients, with no new gaps and no new thrombi; one patient suffered from a stroke, with a good long-term result of LAA closure in TOE (stroke rate 1%/y, absolute risk reduction of 4.4% to a stroke rate of 5.4% related to the score, relative CHA₂DS₂VASC risk reduction of 88%). Eleven patients died: four in the first year of ligation and seven during long-term FUP. Conclusions: The epicardial ligation of the LAA for stroke prevention in octogenarians is highly safe and effective. Early TOE FUP is crucial for the detection of thrombi and establishing an optimal anticoagulation regime. No late development of thrombi or gaps can be observed at up to 5 years. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study is the evaluation of imaging findings of acute-phase cardiac CT (cCT) in stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) to identify potential cardioembolic sources (CES) in patients without intracardiac thrombi and atrial fibrillation (AF). Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 315 patients with LVO who underwent cCT imaging in the acute stroke setting. The images were analysed for 15 imaging findings following the established minor and major cardioembolic risk factors. The final stroke aetiology was determined using the TOAST classification through interdisciplinary consensus following a thorough clinical evaluation. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify imaging findings associated with CES. Results: A cardioembolic aetiology was identified on cardiac CT in 211 cases (70%). After adjustment for AF and intracardiac thrombi, the multivariate regression analysis revealed significant associations with left ventricular dilation (adjusted odds-ratio (AOR) 32.4; 95% CI 3.0–349; p = 0.004), visible interatrial right-to-left shunt (AOR 30.8; 95% CI 2.7–341.3; p = 0.006), valve implants (AOR 24.5; 95% CI 2.2–270.9; p = 0.009), aortic arch atheroma grade > II (AOR 6.9; 95% CI 1.5–32.8; p = 0.015) and post-ischaemic myocardial scars (AOR 6.3, 95% CI 1.2–34.1; p = 0.032) as independent risk factors for a cardioembolic aetiology. The combined model achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.83. Conclusions: In patients with LVO without AF and intracardiac thrombi as a cause, the presence of left ventricular dilatation, interatrial right-to-left shunts, valve implants, post-ischaemic myocardial scarring and advanced aortic arch atheroma (grade > 2) in particular is significantly associated with a cardioembolic cause of stroke and should be add-on evaluated in acute-phase cCT. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these associations. Full article

(1) Background: Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging has reported new cerebral ischemic lesions after left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in about one- third of patients. Stroke occurs predominantly periprocedurally. This study evaluated the characteristics of embolized debris captured by the SENTINEL^TM cerebral embolic protection system in patients undergoing LAA closure; (2) Methods: Sixty filters of 30 consecutive patients undergoing LAA closure with the WATCHMAN FLX^TM device were collected and captured debris was analyzed by histopathology and histomorphometry. Clinical outcome measures were disabling and non-disabling stroke within 72 h; (3) Results: In most filters, no material was captured. The predominant captured debris was acute or organized thrombi. The most common pattern was acute fibrin-rich thrombus, which was detected in 11/30 (33.3%) patients. Particles of heart tissue were seen in 6/30 (20%) patients, and foreign material was seen in one (3.3%) patient. The number of particles ranged from 0 to 52 per patient with a maximum of 31 in the distal and 21 in the proximal filter. Particle diameter ranged from 131 to 2614 µm. By logistic regression analysis, only protected time remained a multivariable predictor for larger particles (p = 0.039). There was no disabling or non-disabling stroke. Compared to transfemoral aortic valve replacement, the number of particles is only about 1.5%. (4) Conclusion: LAA occlusion with the WATCHMAN FLX^TM was associated with a very low number of embolized particles captured with the double-filter SENTINEL^TM embolic protection system and no periprocedural stroke. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart defect affecting up to 25% of the population, associated with an increased risk of cryptogenic stroke. Percutaneous PFO closure is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at reducing stroke risk by eliminating the right-to-left shunt. Methods: This monocentric, retrospective study analyzed 716 patients who underwent PFO closure between January 2000 and February 2023. Data collected included demographics, indications for closure, procedural details, and outcomes. Key endpoints were complications at the puncture site, pericardial effusion, recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), thrombi on the device, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and death. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 50.6 ± 12.6 years, with 60.8% female. Four devices were used: Occlutech PFO occluder (n = 106), Amplatzer PFO occluder (n = 227), Gore septal occluder (n = 296), and Cardia PFO-Star (n = 87). The initial procedural success rate was 98.9%, with no significant differences between devices. Complication rates were low across all devices. Residual shunt incidence decreased from 17.9% in 1 month to 3.4% in 12 months. Device-specific complications included late-onset pericardial effusion (p = 0.01), erosions (Cardia PFO-Star), and device thrombus formation (Gore septal occluder). Conclusions: PFO closure is a safe and effective method for preventing recurrent strokes, with high success rates and varying specific complication profiles, depending on the device. Further long-term studies are needed to evaluate newer devices and optimize patient outcomes. Full article

(1) Background: Meteorological factors seem to exert various effects on human health, influencing the occurrence of diseases such as thromboembolic events and strokes. Low atmospheric pressure in summer may be associated with an increased likelihood of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of meteorological conditions on left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus formation. (2) Methods: A total of 131 patients were included, diagnosed with a first instance of thrombus via 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) between February 2009 and February 2019. Months with frequent thrombus diagnoses of at least 10 thrombi per month were categorized as frequent months (F-months), while months with fewer than 10 thrombus diagnoses per month were labelled as non-frequent months (N-months). The analysis focused on differences in meteorological parameters in two-week and four-week periods before the diagnosis. (3) Results: F-months were predominantly observed in spring and summer (April, May, June, and July), as well as in February and November. During F-months, a higher absolute temperature difference, lower relative humidity, longer daily sunshine duration, and greater wind speed maximum were observed in the two- and four-week periods rather than for N-months. In the two-week period, average temperatures, equivalent temperatures, and temperature maxima were also significantly higher during F-months than N-months. (4) Conclusion: Thrombi in the left atrial appendage are more prevalent during periods characterized by high absolute temperature differences, low relative humidity, and long daily sunshine duration. Full article

Background: Percutaneous left-atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an established method for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, offering an alternative to oral anticoagulation. Various occluder devices have been developed to cater to individual anatomical needs and ensure a safe and effective procedure. In this retrospective, monocentric cohort study, we compare different LAAO devices with respect to clinical outcomes, LAA sealing properties, and device-related complications. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 270 patients who underwent percutaneous LAA closure in our center between 2009 and 2023. Patient data were extracted from medical records, including gender, age at implantation, indication, device type and size, laboratory values, LAA anatomy, periprocedural complications, ECG parameters, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography parameters (TTE and TEE), as well as medication at discharge. Moreover, fluoroscopy time and implantation duration, as well as post-implantation clinical events up to 1 year, were collected. Endpoints were bleeding events, recurrent stroke, thrombi on devices, and death. Results: The implanted devices were the Watchman 2.5, Watchman FLX, Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP), and Amulet. The procedural success rate was 95.7% (n = 265), with cactus anatomy posing the most challenges across all devices. The mean patient age was 75.5 ± 7.7 years, with 64.5% being male. The median CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.8 ± 1.5 and the median HAS-BLED score was 3.8 ± 1.0. Indications for LAA closure included past bleeding events and elevated bleeding risk. Periprocedural complications were most commonly bleeding at the puncture site, particularly after ACP implantation (p = 0.014). Significant peridevice leaks (PDL) were observed in 21.4% of simple sealing mechanism devices versus 0% in double sealing mechanism devices (p = 0.004). Thrombi were detected on devices in six patients, with no subsequent ischemic stroke or thromboembolic event. Comparative analysis revealed no significant differences in the occurrence of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), thromboembolic events, device-related thrombi, or mortality among different device types. A 62.3% relative risk reduction in thromboembolic events and 38.6% in major bleedings could be observed over 568.2 patient years. Conclusions: In summary, our study highlights the efficacy and safety of LAA closure using various occluder devices despite anatomical challenges. Our long-term follow-up findings support LAA closure as a promising option for stroke prevention in selected patient cohorts. Further research is needed to refine patient selection criteria and optimize outcomes in LAA closure procedures. Full article

Diagnosing intracardiac masses poses a complex, multimodal challenge. We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic fever leading to mitral stenosis and a previous mitral valve commissurotomy who reported fatigue, weakness, and palpitations over the past three months. Echocardiography revealed a tumor (53 × 40 mm) in the enlarged left atrium, attached by a wide base to the left atrium wall, exhibiting variable densities. Computerized tomography identified a heterodense mass (53 × 46 × 37 mm) with similar attachments. Angiography showed two branches from the circumflex artery intricately associated with the mass. Despite unsuccessful embolization of the mass’ blood supply, surgical intervention including mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve annuloplasty, and tumor removal was pursued. Pathohistological analysis confirmed the mass as a thrombus. During the postoperative follow-up, the patient presented with no complaints. Follow-up echocardiography indicated the normal function of the mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and the absence of intracardiac masses. While it remains unknown whether this neovascularization is specific to patients with severe mitral valve disease, this case highlights the diagnostic challenges of differentiating between thrombi and tumors in the context of mitral valve disease. It illustrates the critical role of multimodal imaging in elucidating the anatomical and functional relationships within the heart, thereby guiding accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Full article

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. It is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, especially due to the increased risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in these patients. For this reason, thromboembolism prevention is the cornerstone of managing AF, and oral anticoagulation is nowadays the first-line treatment. However, since most thrombi form in the left atrial appendage and anticoagulant therapy may have side effects and be contraindicated in some patients, surgical and percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) have emerged as a non-pharmacological alternative. This review summarizes all existing evidence on surgical and percutaneous LAAO. Full article

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by irregular and rapid electrical activity in the atria, leading to ineffective contraction and poor blood flow. More than 90% of the left atrial (LA) thrombi that cause thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF) develop in the left atrial appendage (LAA). AF modifies the hemodynamics of the left atrium, which can result in thrombosis of the LAA, systemic embolism, and stroke. The current options to reduce thromboembolic events are oral anticoagulation, surgical LAA exclusion, or percutaneous LAA occlusion. However, the mechanism underlying thrombus development in the LAA remains poorly understood. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis can be used to better understand the risk of thrombus formation and subsequent embolic events. CFD enables the simulation and visualization of blood flow patterns within the heart, including complex structures such as the LAA. Using CFD, researchers can analyze the hemodynamics of blood flow, identify areas of stagnation or turbulence, and predict the risk of thrombus formation. The correlation between blood flow dynamics, atrial fibrillation, and the risk of stroke has been highlighted by CFD studies investigating the underlying mechanism of thrombus formation in the LAA. This review study intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the factors involved in thrombus formation and their implications for clinical practice by synthesizing the insights acquired from these CFD studies. Full article

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in adults. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most likely source of thrombus formation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) represents an effective alternative to NOAC in patients with NVAF. Expert consensus documents recommend intraprocedural imaging by means of either transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in addition to standard fluoroscopy to guide LAAC. TEE-guided LAAC usually requires general anesthesia. The ICE technique is a “minimalist approach”, without general anesthesia, but ICE imaging techniques are not yet simplified and standardize, and the ICE may result in inferior image quality compared with that of TEE. Another “minimalist approach” can be the use of ICE via the esophageal route (ICE-TEE), that jet is validated to identify the presence of LAA thrombi in patients and to perform other procedures. In our cath laboratory ICE-TEE to guide LAAC is used in some complex patients. Indeed, our single center experience suggests that ICE-TEE could be a good alternative imaging technique to guide LAAC procedure without general anesthesia. Full article

Aims: Patients with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) are at risk of thromboembolism. The relationship between left atrial diameter (LAD), a robust predictor for thrombosis, and LVNC is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of LAD on the thrombotic risk in LVNC. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 320 patients with imaging characteristics of LVNC were included for statistical analysis. The primary endpoint was a composite event of intracardiac thrombi and stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The secondary endpoints were intracardiac thrombi and stroke/TIA. Results: The 320 included patients (211 [65.9%] men, median age: 45 years [interquartile range: 30–57]) were divided into LAD1 (<43 mm, n = 157) and LAD2 (≥43 mm, n = 163) groups based on the median LAD. Throughout the median follow-up of 34 months, the incidence of thromboembolism among them was 7.2%: 11 (3.4%) patients had stroke/TIA and 14 (4.4%) had intracardiac thrombi. The rate of thromboembolism in the LAD2 group was higher than that of patients in the LAD1 group (11.0% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.007). Kaplan–Meier survival curves suggested that a LAD ≥ 43 mm was associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism and intracardiac thrombi (log-rank test, all p < 0.05). After adjusting for potential risk factors, LAD ≥ 43 mm was found to be an independent risk factor for thromboembolism (p = 0.013) and stroke (p = 0.024). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of LAD for predicting thromboembolism reached 0.696 at 1 year, 0.635 at 2 years, and 0.660 at 3 years. Conclusions: A larger LAD was related to a higher risk of thromboembolism in patients with LVNC. The LAD may be a useful predictor for thrombotic risk stratification among such patients. Full article

An increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and a higher risk of thromboembolic complications in AF patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMI on the risk of left atrial thrombi (LATs) in patients with nonvalvular AF/atrial flutter (AFl) (NV AF/AFl). Patients diagnosed with NVAF/AFl (between November 2018 and May 2020) were selected from the multicenter, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry that included AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation followed by transesophageal echocardiography. A total of 2816 AF/AFl patients (63.6% males; mean age 65.8 years; mean BMI 29.8 kg/m²) were included in the study. Two hundred and twenty-two of them (7.9%) had LATs. Compared with normal-weight patients, those with BMIs ≥ 25 kg/m² more frequently presented clinical factors potentially provoking LATs, such as non-paroxysmal AF/AFl (p = 0.04), hypertension (p < 0.001), and diabetes (p < 0.001); had higher CHA₂DS₂ scores (p < 0.001); and had larger LA dimensions (LA diameter and LA area) (p < 0.001 for both parameters). On the other hand, they showed some features negatively related to thromboembolic risk; for example, they were younger (p < 0.001) and were more often male (p = 0.002). In addition, patients with abnormal BMIs were more likely to be smokers (p = 0.006) and to be treated with oral anticoagulants (p = 0.005). Despite these differences in the prevalence of thromboembolic risk factors, the incidence of LATs was not increased in patients with abnormal body weight (overweight and obese compared to normal-weight patients) in this large real-life cohort of AF/AFl patients. This is probably due to the balanced composition regarding the prevalence of positive and negative thromboembolic risk factors. Full article

Introduction: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is routinely performed before catheter ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias to rule out the presence of left atrial thrombi. However, data to support this practice are inconsistent. Methods: We analyzed consecutive pre-procedural TEE in a high-volume electrophysiology center for the presence of left atrial thrombi and a relevant flow reduction in the left atrial appendage (LAA) defined as LAA sludge or LAA emptying velocity (LAAEV) < 20 cm/s. The possible predictors of reduced flow were recorded and compared in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: 1676 TEE were included (1122 before pulmonary vein isolation, 436 before atrial flutter ablation, 166 before other ablations). 543 patients (32%) were female and 991 (59%) were on DOAC. Nine patients (0.5%) had an LAA thrombus on pre-procedural TEE. Ninety-five further patients (5.7%) had a relevant reduction in LAA flow. The underlying rhythm showed a significant association with the presence of LAA thrombus or reduced LAA flow (p = 0.003). Patients in sinus rhythm and cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter exhibited the lowest risk. Additionally, reduced kidney function was associated with a reduction in LAA flow velocities (p = 0.04). Of note, two LAA thrombi occurred in patients in sinus rhythm and six out of nine patients with an LAA thrombus were on vitamin-K antagonists. Conclusions: LAA thrombus is a rare occurrence before an elective catheter ablation. The underlying rhythm and kidney function may serve as markers of a higher likelihood of significantly reduced LAAEV and LAA thrombus. Full article