Assessment of left atrial appendage flow velocities to unmask atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Hemostasis in the left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) is a common cause of stroke, particularly in atrial fibrillation (AF). LAA flow have been determined to quantify LAA function. Objectives To investigate whether LAA peak flow velocities early after cryptogenic stroke have a predictive value for AF occurrence and to determine the determinants of impaired flow. Methods Consecutive cryptogenic stroke patients (139) were enrolled. LAA flow velocities during sinus rhythm were assessed early post-stroke with transesophageal echocardiography. All patients received rhythm monitoring using 7-day Holter and if negative, an implantable cardiac monitor. Results 47 Patients (34%) developed AF during a median follow-up of 554 days, median time to AF diagnosis was 93 days. Both, LAA filling (LAAfv) and emptying (LAAev) velocities were lower in stroke patients who developed AF (resp. 44.3±14.2 cm/s and 50.7±13.3 cm/s) compared with those who didn’t (resp. 59.8±14.0 cm/s and 76.8±17.3 cm/s). LAAev was the strongest predictor of AF with an AUC of 0.878 in ROC curve analysis and with optimal cut-off value of 55 cm/s. Age and mitral regurgitation were independent determinants of reduced LAAev. Conclusions Reduced LAA flow velocities can identify cryptogenic stroke patients at high risk of occult AF, and who may benefit from intensive rhythm monitoring or anticoagulation strategies.