Left lateral decubitus computed tomography before catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation


Kaliyev B.B. Rakhimzhanova R.I. Sinitsyn V.E. Dautov T.B. Abdrakhmanov A.S.
30 June 2023NLM (Medline)

Kardiologiia
2023#63Issue 661 - 68 pp.

Aim    The study aimed to determine the efficacy of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for diagnosing left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus before catheter ablation with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position and, also, to evaluate the risk factors for thrombus formation.Material and methods    This retrospective, cohort study included 101 patients with atrial fibrillation. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and left lateral decubitus CCTA. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed to confirm or exclude LAA thrombus. Patients with allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media, increased serum creatinine, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, and age<18 years were excluded. The CHA2‑DS2‑VASc and HAS-BLED scores were calculated for each patient.Results    All LAA thrombi detected on CCTA were confirmed by TEE. Higher CHA2‑DS2‑VASc, HAS-BLED scores, enlarged LA, and the anteroposterior dimension of the left atrium were significantly associated with the presence of LAA thrombus. A LAA cauliflower shape was a predictor of thrombus. An increase of LAA volume by 1 ml increased the chances of LAA thrombus and cerebral ischemic infarct by 2 %. The growth of the LAA anteroposterior diameter by 1 cm increased the risk of LAA thrombus by 190 % and of cerebral infarct by 78 %. An increase in the CHA2DS2‑VASc score by 1 point increased the risk of thromboembolism and cerebral infarction by 12 %.Conclusions    CCTA performed in the left lateral decubitus position of the patient is an optimal screening tool to detect or exclude LAA thrombus before catheter ablation because of atrial fibrillation. CCTA has predictive value for risk of thrombosis formation in LAA.



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National Research Cardiac Surgery Center, Department of Interventional Cardiology and Radiology, Ministry of Health of the Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
JSC «Astana Medical University, Department of Radiology No.1
Moscow Lomonosov State University, Department of Radiology

National Research Cardiac Surgery Center
JSC «Astana Medical University
Moscow Lomonosov State University

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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