Left atrial appendage function in patients with cardioembolic stroke in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation

The purpose of this study was to determine the left atrial appendage (LAA) function in patients with stroke. The study group consisted of 61 patients with stroke and 37 control subjects. Patients with stroke were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the presence of atrial fibrillation (group 1) or sinus rhythm (group 2), Group 1 showed a significant reduction of LAA flow velocities (13.2 +/- 6.4 cm/s versus 27.5 +/- 8 cm/s, P < .05) and signific ant increase in LAA areas (minimum area: 360.5 +/- 204 mm(2) versus 217.7 /- 113.9 mm(2), P = .004). Group 2 showed a decrease in LAA now velocities (17.7 +/- 8.2 cm/s versus 27.5 +/- 8 cm/s, P < .05), but no significant cha nge was found in LAA areas. No significant difference was found in other pa rameters related to LAA. These Endings show that a decreased LAA now veloci ty is a risk factor for stroke in patients In sinus rhythm without LAA enla rgement. Left atrial appendage area was Increased In size only in patients with atrial fibrillation.