[Detection of Signs of Thrombus Formation in Patients With Typical Atrial Flutter]

Abstract

Aim: to assess rate of detection of markers of thrombi formation and to determine whether transthoracic echocardiography data or clinical characteristics predict severe left atrial appendage [LAA] dysfunction (low LAA velocity, severe spontaneous echo contrast [SEC], LAA thrombus) in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFl).

Material and methods: Consecutive 406 patients (299 with atrial fibrillation [AFib] and 107 with AFl) underwent transesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion. Mean age was 59.3 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score- 1.86, mean LAA velocity - 37.02 cm/s.

Results: Compared with patients with AF those with AFl had lower rate of detection of markers of thrombi formation (p<0.05). Among patients with AFl 1.8% had SEC grade 4+, 7.4% - LAA velocity less or equal 25 cm/s. LAA thrombus was found in 2.8 and 8.1% of patients with AFl and AFib, respectively. Prevalence of thrombi in left ventricular (LV) cavity was significantly higher inpatients with AFl (3.13 vs. 0.3% in patients with AFib, p=0.02). In patients with AFl systolic LV dysfunction was the main and ost significant predictor of severe LAA dysfunction and presence LV thrombus.

Conclusion: AFl associated high risk of embolic events is primarily determined by its adverse effect on LV function.