Atrial fibrillation echocardiography or ultrasound: Difference between revisions
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* LA thrombus (low sensitivity) | * LA thrombus (low sensitivity) | ||
* Pericardial disease | * Pericardial disease | ||
===Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)=== | ===Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)=== | ||
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If no thrombus is seen on TEE, the incidence of stroke immediately after cardioversion is performed is very low. | If no thrombus is seen on TEE, the incidence of stroke immediately after cardioversion is performed is very low. | ||
===Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)=== | |||
A transthoracic [[echocardiogram]] is generally performed in newly diagnosed [[AF]], as well as if there is a major change in the patient's clinical state. This ultrasound-based scan of the heart may help identify [[valvular heart disease]] (which may increase the risk of [[stroke]] manifold), left and right atrial size (which indicates likelihood that [[AF]] may become permanent), left ventricular size and function, peak right ventricular pressure ([[pulmonary hypertension]]), presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and pericardial disease.<ref name="pmid16908781"> | |||
Significant enlargement of both the left and right atria is associated with long-standing [[atrial fibrillation]] and, if noted at the initial presentation of [[atrial fibrillation]], suggests that the [[atrial fibrillation]] is likely of a longer duration than the individual's symptoms. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 00:03, 29 June 2011
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Atrial Fibrillation Microchapters | |
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Special Groups | |
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Diagnosis | |
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Treatment | |
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Cardioversion | |
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Anticoagulation | |
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Surgery | |
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Case Studies | |
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Atrial fibrillation echocardiography or ultrasound On the Web | |
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Atrial fibrillation echocardiography or ultrasound in the news | |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Atrial fibrillation echocardiography or ultrasound | |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Atrial fibrillation echocardiography or ultrasound | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Synonyms and related keywords: AF, Afib, fib
Echocardiography
Performing an echocardiogram is essential to identify;
- Valvular heart disease
- Left and right atrial size
- LV size and function
- Peak RV pressure (pulmonary hypertension)
- LV hypertrophy
- LA thrombus (low sensitivity)
- Pericardial disease
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
A normal echocardiography (transthoracic or TTE) has a low sensitivity for identifying thrombi (blood clots) in the heart. If this is suspected - e.g. when planning urgent electrical cardioversion - a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is preferred.[1]
The TEE has much better visualization of the left atrial appendage than transthoracic echocardiography. This structure, located in the left atrium, is the place where thrombus most commonly is formed in the setting of atrial fibrillation or flutter. TEE has a very high sensitivity for locating thrombus in this area and can also detect sluggish bloodflow in this area that is suggestive of thrombus formation.
If no thrombus is seen on TEE, the incidence of stroke immediately after cardioversion is performed is very low.
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
A transthoracic echocardiogram is generally performed in newly diagnosed AF, as well as if there is a major change in the patient's clinical state. This ultrasound-based scan of the heart may help identify valvular heart disease (which may increase the risk of stroke manifold), left and right atrial size (which indicates likelihood that AF may become permanent), left ventricular size and function, peak right ventricular pressure (pulmonary hypertension), presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and pericardial disease.<ref name="pmid16908781">
Significant enlargement of both the left and right atria is associated with long-standing atrial fibrillation and, if noted at the initial presentation of atrial fibrillation, suggests that the atrial fibrillation is likely of a longer duration than the individual's symptoms.
References
de:Vorhofflimmern it:Fibrillazione atriale nl:Boezemfibrilleren no:Atrieflimmer fi:Eteisvärinä