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Mill J, Harrison J, Saiz-Vivo M, Albors C, Morales X, Olivares AL, Iriart X, Cochet H, Noailly J, Sermesant M, Camara O. The role of the pulmonary veins on left atrial flow patterns and thrombus formation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5860. [PMID: 38467726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56658-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common human arrhythmia, forming thrombi mostly in the left atrial appendage (LAA). However, the relation between LAA morphology, blood patterns and clot formation is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the impact of anatomical structures like the pulmonary veins (PVs) have not been thoroughly studied due to data acquisition difficulties. In-silico studies with flow simulations provide a detailed analysis of blood flow patterns under different boundary conditions, but a limited number of cases have been reported in the literature. To address these gaps, we investigated the influence of PVs on LA blood flow patterns and thrombus formation risk through computational fluid dynamics simulations conducted on a sizeable cohort of 130 patients, establishing the largest cohort of patient-specific LA fluid simulations reported to date. The investigation encompassed an in-depth analysis of several parameters, including pulmonary vein orientation (e.g., angles) and configuration (e.g., number), LAA and LA volumes as well as their ratio, flow, and mass-less particles. Our findings highlight the total number of particles within the LAA as a key parameter for distinguishing between the thrombus and non-thrombus groups. Moreover, the angles between the different PVs play an important role to determine the flow going inside the LAA and consequently the risk of thrombus formation. The alignment between the LAA and the main direction of the left superior pulmonary vein, or the position of the right pulmonary vein when it exhibits greater inclination, had an impact to distinguish the control group vs. the thrombus group. These insights shed light on the intricate relationship between PV configuration, LAA morphology, and thrombus formation, underscoring the importance of comprehensive blood flow pattern analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Mill
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josquin Harrison
- Inria, Université Côte d'Azur, Epione team, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marta Saiz-Vivo
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Albors
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xabier Morales
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andy L Olivares
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Iriart
- IHU Liryc, CHU Bordeaux, Université Bordeaux, Inserm, 33600, Pessac, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hubert Cochet
- IHU Liryc, CHU Bordeaux, Université Bordeaux, Inserm, 33600, Pessac, France
- Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jerome Noailly
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maxime Sermesant
- Inria, Université Côte d'Azur, Epione team, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Oscar Camara
- Physense, BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08018, Barcelona, Spain
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Rigatelli G, Zuin M. Differences and similarities in interatrial shunts management. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 120:25-28. [PMID: 38072687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Atrial septal defects (ASD) and Patent foramen ovale (PFO) represent the most common congenital heart diseases (CHD) adulthood. These two clinical entities, having different embryological origin, as well as clinical manifestations, clinical course and treatment must be carefully distinguished. Right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension are considered the major determinants of morbidity and mortality in ASD. Conversely, new pathophysiology concepts have been raised in the management of PFO as left atrium cardiopathy. New diagnostic tools, including cardiac magnetic resonance and intracardiac echocardiography have joint transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnostic definition of both ASD and PFO as well as in guiding their percutaneous closure. Moreover, several innovations have been developed in the field of percutaneous ASD and PFO closure devices including new evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of device-based closure. Aim of the present review is to present review we provided and update overview on ASD and PFO, focusing on the novel concepts regarding their pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Rigatelli
- Interventional Cardiology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti Padova Sud, Monselice, Padova, Italy.
| | - Marco Zuin
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Sposato LA, Albin CSW, Elkind MSV, Kamel H, Saver JL. Patent Foramen Ovale Management for Secondary Stroke Prevention: State-of-the-Art Appraisal of Current Evidence. Stroke 2024; 55:236-247. [PMID: 38134261 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.040546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is frequently identified in young patients with ischemic stroke. Randomized controlled trials provide robust evidence supporting PFO closure in selected patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke; however, several questions remain unanswered. This report summarizes current knowledge on the epidemiology of PFO-associated stroke, the role of PFO as a cause of stroke, and anatomic high-risk features. We also comment on breakthrough developments in patient selection algorithms for PFO closure in relation to the PFO-associated stroke causal likelihood risk stratification system. We further highlight areas for future research in PFO-associated stroke including the efficacy and safety of PFO closure in the elderly population, incidence, and long-term consequences of atrial fibrillation post-PFO closure, generalizability of the results of clinical trials in the real world, and the need for assessing the effect of neurocardiology teams on adherence to international recommendations. Other important knowledge gaps such as sex, race/ethnicity, and regional disparities in access to diagnostic technologies, PFO closure devices, and clinical outcomes in the real world are also discussed as priority research topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Sposato
- Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (L.A.S.), Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Heart & Brain Laboratory (L.A.S.), Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada (L.A.S.)
| | - Catherine S W Albin
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (C.S.W.A.)
| | - Mitchell S V Elkind
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (M.S.V.E.), Columbia University, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health (M.S.V.E.), Columbia University, New York
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (H.K.)
| | - Jeffrey L Saver
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles (J.L.S.)
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Aarnink E, Zabern M, Boersma L, Glikson M. Mechanisms and Prediction of Ischemic Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6491. [PMID: 37892626 PMCID: PMC10607686 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults worldwide and represents an important burden for patients, physicians, and healthcare systems. AF is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity, due to the disease itself and its specific complications, such as the increased risk of stroke and thromboembolic events associated with AF. The temporal relation between AF episodes and stroke is nonetheless incompletely understood. The factors associated with an increased thromboembolic risk remain unclear, as well as the stroke risk stratification. Therefore, in this review, we intend to expose the mechanisms and physiopathology leading to intracardiac thrombus formation and stroke in AF patients, together with the evidence supporting the causal hypothesis. We also expose the risk factors associated with increased risk of stroke, the current different risk stratification tools as well as future prospects for improving this risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Errol Aarnink
- Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, 3435 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Maxime Zabern
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
| | - Lucas Boersma
- Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, 3435 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Glikson
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
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