Figure 3
LAA-FV and LAA-EF in the study patients. (a) Diagram of LAA flow during SR or AFL rhythm in the representative patients. (b) Patients in the AFL + PAF group had a significantly lower LAA-FV than those in the isolated AFL group. (c) Visualization of the LAA in the representative patients using biplane TEE. The maximal (DA) and minimal (SA) areas of the LAA during one cardiac cycle are shown. The area of the LAA was measured by tracing a line starting from the top of the limbus of the left upper pulmonary vein along the entire endocardial border. (d) LAA-EF (%) = (DA–SA)/DA × 100. Patients in the AFL + PAF group had a poorer LAA-EF than those in the isolated AFL groups. LAA, left atrial appendage; LAA-FV, left atrial appendage flow velocity; LAA-EF, left atrial appendage ejection fraction; AFL, atrial flutter; SR, sinus rhythm; PAF, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography.
