Visualization of left atrial appendage and assessment of its function by transthoracic second harmonic imaging and contrast-enhanced pulsed Doppler

BACKGROUND

Low flow velocity within the left atrial appendage, as assessed by transoesophageal echocardiography, is a predictor of thromboembolism and of a low success rate of cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. However, the semi-invasive nature does limit its serial application as a screening technique.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated the value of transthoracic second harmonic echocardiography and pulsed Doppler at baseline and after intravenous contrast injection to visualize the left atrial appendage and assess blood flow velocities within its cavity. We studied 51 consecutive patients undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography. After transoesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic second harmonic imaging was performed and the left atrial appendage was visualized in 46 patients. Interpretable pulsed Doppler tracings of left atrial appendage flow were obtained at baseline in 39 patients and in 45 patients during Levovist administration. The correlations between peak emptying velocity of left atrial appendage as measured by transoesophageal echocardiography and by transthoracic standard and contrast-enhanced Doppler were 0.81 and 0.91, respectively. The agreement between transoesophageal echocardiography and transthoracic contrast-enhanced pulsed Doppler echocardiography in classifying left atrial appendage flow velocity patterns was 93%. Left atrial appendage thrombus was detected by transthoracic second harmonic imaging in only one of the eight patients shown by transoesophageal echocardiography to have a thrombus. However, all but one of the patients with left atrial appendage thrombus and/or spontaneous echocardiographic contrast at transoesophageal echocardiography had <30cm/s left atrial appendage flow velocity by transthoracic Doppler.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that left atrial appendage can be visualized by transthoracic second harmonic imaging and that the flow velocity within its cavity is reliably measured by pulsed Doppler in a substantial fraction of patients. Contrast enhancement improves the feasibility and the accuracy of transthoracic evaluation of left atrial appendage flow velocity. The practical value of these results in predicting thromboembolic risk and success of cardioversion of atrial fibrillation needs to be proved by prospective studies.

[Cerebral hemorrhage induced by low-dose streptokinase: a pharmacologic paradox? Report of a clinical case]

A case of an important intracranial hemorrhage after a low dose (approx. 500,000 UI) of streptokinase in a 60 year-old woman suffering from myocardial infarction is presented. Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, lab and tomographic findings are described. The authors suggest a pharmacokinetic mechanism which could be responsible of a "paradox effect" (a powerful and dangerous effect of the drug when given in low dose) and they wonder whether in case of allergic reactions should it be better not to stop the infusion of the thrombolytic drug and be more liberal with the "symptomatic" drugs. Tha patient is still alive and the clinical conditions slowly progressing.