A R D I O E M B O L I C S T R O K E S A R E R E S P O N S I B L E for more than 20% of all ischemic trokes. The examination of atrial sources of cardioembolic strokes has focused almost exclusively on he left atrial appendage (LAA) and the pathophysiology of thrombus formation at this site is well nderstood. However, especially in rheumatic heart disease, thrombi can occur in the left atrium (L...

Radiographic evidence of asymmetrical enlargement of the left atrium without atrial infarction is presented. Giant atrial enlargement is rarely symmetrical, the atrial appendage can contribute to the enlargement, and the giant atrium can be effectively trimmed. This will reduce its size and, therefore, the space which it occupies, and will restore the anatomical relations of neighbouring struct...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Anticoagulant therapy effectively reduces the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but is underutilized and frequently contraindicated. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the primary site of thrombus formation in AF patients. Surgical and percutaneous appendage closure has been evaluated as a site-specific therapy to reduce systemic thromboembolism. ...

A 36-year-old man with exertional fatigue was referred to the outpatient department of our hospital for assessment. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large cystic mass close to the right chambers, which compressed the entire right ventricle. The lateral side of the tricuspid valve annulus was displaced because of compression (Fig. 1, 2, Video 1). Additionally, transesophageal echocardiogr...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to point out timing of left atrium and its appendage functional recovery after cardioversion (CV) in recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS Fifty patients; 27 within 48-h (group I) and 23 after 48-h (group II), of AF onset, who had successful CV underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), before and immediately after CV, then 15, 30 and 90 days ...