Abstract 13131: Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Left Atrial Appendage Dimensions is a Reflect of Cardiac Rhythm at Mid-Term Follow-Up in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Introduction: Few studies have described the characteristics of the left atrial appendage (LAA) using three dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in atrial fibrillation (AF). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that 3D characteristics of the LAA could further characterize patients in AF. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 156 patients hospitalized for AF with two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic and 3D TEE of the LAA within 24 hours of admission. 3D parameters were off-line analysed with Tomtec software (4D Cardio-View, Generic Volume, Philips) (Figure 1A). Patients were divided into two groups according to the cardiac rhythm at 2 years of follow up: restoration of sinus rhythm (SR group, 107 patients) or persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF group, 49 patients). Results: The mean age of the population was 66±11 years and 95 (61%) patients were male. At admission using 2D transthoracic echocardiography, AF group had in comparison with SR group higher left atrial end-systolic volume indexed (respectively 48.0 (38.7-57.0) versus 41.8 (35.0-51.5) ml/m 2 , p=0.0096), higher E velocity (respectively 0.90 (0.78-1.00) versus 0.76 (0.62-0.91) m/s, p= 0.0001) and higher pulmonary arterial pressure (respectively 31 (25-38) versus 28 (23-33) mmHg, p=0.0142). There were no significant differences in left ventricle ejection fraction and right atrial end-systolic volume indexed. At admission using 2D TEE, AF group had in comparison with SR group lower emptying flow velocity (29 (20-38) versus 38 (26-53) cm/s, p=0.002) and filling flow velocity (29 (20-39) versus 40 (29-56) cm/s, p=0.001) of the LAA. In 3D TEE, AF group had higher 3D end-systolic and end-diastolic LAA volumes (non-indexed and indexed) and no significant differences in LAA ostium in comparison with SR group (Figure 1B). Conclusions: 3D evaluation of the LAA reflects a degree of cardiac cavities remodeling in AF and seems to be associated with the evolution of cardiac rhythm at two-years follow-up.