Abstract 12030: The Process of Left Atrial Appendage Dysfunction Evaluated by 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography

Introduction: Left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction progressively evolves in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. LAA transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) parameters can predict thrombotic tendencies and AF treatment outcomes. However, the process of LAA dysfunction remains to be elucidated. Methods: Eighty-four persistent AF patients (64men, age 68±10) that underwent TEE were enrolled. We obtained three-dimensional full-volume LAA data from these patients and reconstructed two-dimensional LAA cross sectional images at the orifice and mid-portion level of the LAA. The maximum and minimum cross-sectional LAA areas were measured at each position and the area change ratio at the orifice (ACR-O) and mid-portion (ACR-M) were calculated. We defined low contractility as a decreasing area change ratio (ACR) of <30% at each position and evaluated the associations between the ACR-O, ACR-M, and continuous AF duration. Results: The patients were categorized into three groups based on the ACR-O and ACR-M: those tha...