LEFT ATRIAL FIBROSIS, FUNCTIONAL CHANGE, AND A RISK OF THROMBUS IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: LEFT ATRIAL FIBROSIS BEGETS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION OR VICE VERSA?

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), left atrial (LA) fibrosis is an important component of the arrhythmogenic substrate and is related to LA dysfunciton, which contribute the development of thromboembolism. However, there is little known relations among LA fibrosis, functional change and risk