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Mantini C, Corradi F, Ricci F, Jensen B, Tana C, Di Mascio V, Mastrodicasa D, Bucciarelli B, Procaccini L, Saba L, Marco Tana, Cademartiri F, De Caterina R. A highly-detailed anatomical study of left atrial auricle as revealed by in-vivo computed tomography. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20575. [PMID: 37842578 PMCID: PMC10568352 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The left atrial auricle (LAA) is the main source of intracardiac thrombi, which contribute significantly to the total number of stroke cases. It is also considered a major site of origin for atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing ablation procedures. The LAA is known to have a high degree of morphological variability, with shape and structure identified as important contributors to thrombus formation. A detailed understanding of LAA form, dimension, and function is crucial for radiologists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons. This review describes the normal anatomy of the LAA as visualized through multiple imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and echocardiography. Special emphasis is devoted to a discussion on how the morphological characteristics of the LAA are closely related to the likelihood of developing LAA thrombi, including insights into LAA embryology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Mantini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Ricci
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Bjarke Jensen
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Claudio Tana
- Geriatrics Clinic, SS. Annunziata Hospital of Chieti, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valeria Di Mascio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Benedetta Bucciarelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Politechnic University of Marche, G. Salesi Children's Hospital, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Tana
- Internal Medicine Unit and Department of Vascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Ultrasound, SS. Annunziata Hospital of Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele De Caterina
- Cardiology, University of Pisa and University Cardiology Division, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Villa Serena per la Ricerca, Città Sant’Angelo-Pescara, Italy
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