Abstract
Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important source of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the features of LAA associated with stroke in patients with AF.Methods: We compared the size of LAA using computed tomography (CT) between 224 AF patients with non-hemorrhagic stroke (Group 1, 71 women, age 67±10 years) and 365 AF patients without stroke (Group 2, 77 women, age 56±11 years).Results: Group 1 included more female patients (31.7% vs. 21.1%, p=0.004), and was older than group 2 (p<0.001). There was no difference in the type of AF between two groups. CHADS2 score (3.2±0.8, vs. 0.6±0.7, p<0.001) and LA dimension (4.76±0.82 vs. 4.12±0.59 cm, p<0.001) were significantly lager in group 1 than group 2. The orifice size (3.85±1.66 vs. 2.57±0.93 cm2, p<0.001) and depth of LAA (3.18±0.67 vs. 2.67±0.57 cm, p<0.001) were significantly larger in group 1 than group 2. In multivariate analysis, age (OR 2.08 per decade increase, 95% CI 1.59–2.71, p<0.001), LA size (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.29–2.76, p=0.001), the orifice size (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.26–1.99, p<0.001) and the depth of LAA (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24–2.95, p=0.004) were independent predictors of stroke.Conclusion: In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, the larger orifice size and depth of LAA were independent predictors of stroke with advanced age and LA enlargement.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
