Anatomical Characteristics of Left Atrium and Left Atrial Appendage in Patients with Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack

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Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) has been identified as a frequent source of cardiac thrombus associated with systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to identify morphological characteristics of the LA and LAA that may confer higher stroke/TIA risk. Methods: We enrolled 119 patients with AF who underwent 3D-CT examination. We assessed LA and LAA anatomy and categorized LAA morphology and LAA position and counted the number of LAA lobes. Thirty one patients had a history of stroke/TIA (S group) and the others (88 patients) were free (NS group). There were no significant differences in age between two groups. Results: The LA size (41.9±6.1 mm) and LA volume (108.2±40.5 mm3) in S group were similar to those of NS group (42.3±6.6 mm and 98.0±35.8 mm3, p=0.7 and p=0.2, respectively). There were no significant differences in LAA volume (p=0.8) and LAA neck diameter (p=0.2) between two groups (22.3±4.2 mm3 and 10.1±3.4 mm in S group and 22.6±5.1 mm3 and 11.1±5.0 mm in NS group). There were no significant differences in LAA morphology, LAA position and the number of LAA lobes between two groups. Conclusions: Morphological and dimensional characteristics of the LA and LAA did not determine the risk of stroke/TIA in patients with AF.