多平面经食管超声评价左心耳功能及左心耳血栓

目的： 评价左心耳功能对左心血栓形成的影响。方法： 应用多平面经食管超声对１２ 例左心耳血栓或左心耳伴左房血栓 （血栓组） 和２０ 例无左心耳、左房血栓 （无血栓组） 患者进行检查。分别测量两组患者的左心耳开口宽度 （ＬＡＡＷ ）、长度 （ＬＡＡＬ）、宽度／长度 （ＬＡＡＷ ／ＬＡＡＬ）、左心耳面积 （ＬＡＡＡ）、充盈速度 （ＦＶ）、射血速度（ＥＶ）、充盈速度／射血速度（ＦＶ／ＥＶ）及观察左心耳彩色血流充盈情况并进行比较。结果：血栓组ＬＡＡＷ 、ＬＡＡＬ、ＬＡＡＷ ／ＬＡＡＬ 和ＬＡＡＡ 显著增大, Ｐ 值分别小于 ００００５、０００５、００５ 和 ０００５, ＦＶ 与 ＥＶ 明显减低, Ｐ 值均小于００００１。血栓组左心耳彩色血流充盈稀疏。结论： 左心耳功能减低是左心耳血栓形成的重要因素, 多平面经食管超声是检测左心耳血栓有价值的方法。     

经食管超声心动图对心房颤动时左心耳血流动力学的研究

目的 研究心房颤动（房颤）时左心耳血流动力学的变化及临床价值。方法 使用多平面经食管超声心动图记录并分析74例房颤患者的左心耳图像、血流频谱及其他相应指标。结果 房颤患者的左心耳最大容积（Vmax-LAA)、左心耳最小容积（Vmin-LAA）均大于窦性心律对照组，左心耳射血分数EF-LAA、左心耳的最大在正向血流速度（V-LAA^ 、最大负向血流速度（V-LAA^-）均小于窦律对照组。其中风湿性心脏病轻度二尖瓣狭窄组与重度二尖瓣狭窄组的上述指标与非风湿性心脏病房颤组均有明显差异，而风湿性心脏病二组间的上述指标无明显差异。Ⅲ型左心耳血流频谱易伴随着较严重的左心耳、左心房的自发性回声（SEC）及血栓形成。结论 多平面经食管超声技术可有效评价房颤时左心耳血流动力学，尤其对房颤早期左房血流动力学及左心房SEC及血栓的早期预防有较实际的应用价值。     

房颤时肺静脉血流的超声研究

我们应用多平面经食管超声心动图技术（ＴＥＥ）记录分析了７４例房颤患者和２０例窦性心律对照患者的肺静脉血流频谱,以评价房颤时肺静脉的血流动力学变化。资料与方法窦律对照组（２０例）,简称Ａ组。房颤患者７４例,分为非风湿性心脏病组（１６例）、风湿性心脏病轻度二尖瓣狭窄组（２２例）、风湿性心脏病重度二尖瓣狭窄组（３６例）３个亚组,简称Ｂ、Ｃ、Ｄ组。使用美国惠普公司ＳＯＮＯＳ５５００型多普勒超声诊断仪,应用ＴＥＥ技术探测并记录肺静脉血流频谱。脱机测量肺静脉血流各波的最大峰值流速：①窦律时心房收缩期负向波…     

经食管超声评估非瓣膜性心房颤动患者左心耳血流动力学改变对左心耳血栓形成的预测价值

目的应用经食管超声心动图(TEE)评价非瓣膜性心房颤动(以下简称房颤)患者左心耳血流动力学变化状况,探讨其预测左心耳血栓形成的价值。方法选取我院房颤组138例和对照组30例,均接受TEE检查。分别从0°、45°、90°、135°不同角度观察两组左心耳二维图像,获取左心耳血流频谱及组织速度成像图像;测量左心耳射血分数(LAAEF)、最大容积(LAAVmax)、血流峰值排空速度(LAA-EV)和峰值充盈速度(LAA-FV)、血流平均排空速度(LAAAEV)和平均充盈速度(LAA-AFV),以及左心耳各壁收缩期峰值速度(LAA-SV)和舒张期峰值速度(LAA-DV)。并对两组上述指标进行比较。结果房颤组与对照组比较,LAA-EV、LAA-AEV、LAA-FV、LAA-AFV及LAAEF均减低,LAAVmax增高,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。房颤组138例患者中,左心耳存在血栓者15例,无血栓者123例,对照组、房颤组无血栓者及合并血栓者LAA-AEV、LAA-AFV、LAAEF及左心耳各壁LAA-SV和LAA-DV依次减低,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。LAA-AFV判断发生左心耳血栓的截断值为27.5 cm/s,特异性及敏感性分别为73.3%、96.7%;LAA-AEV判断发生左心耳血栓的截断值为33.0 cm/s,特异性及敏感性分别为80.0%、86.7%。结论 TEE能有效评价左心耳血流动力学状态及其功能。房颤患者左心耳收缩、舒张功能减低,左心耳血栓形成时减低更甚。LAA-AFV和LAA-AEV可以预测非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳血栓形成的风险。     

经食管超声心动图组织多普勒评价左心耳功能

目的观察窦性心律和心房纤颤（房颤）患者经食管超声心动图左心耳脉冲组织多普勒的图像特点,结合脉冲多普勒初步研究使用组织多普勒技术评价左心耳功能的价值。 方法窦性心律和房颤患者各15例均经食管超声心动图检查,房颤患者根据有无心房血栓或心房血流浓密自显影分为2组,并将经食管超声心动图的指标进行比较。 结果窦性心律患者的左心耳血流频谱和脉冲组织多普勒图像为可测量的三相波;房颤患者则表现为无规律的可测量的多相波。左心耳血流速度在各组间均有显著性差异;脉冲组织多普勒指标在窦性心律和房颤患者中有显著性差异,在有血栓和心房血流自显影的房颤患者中进一步降低或有进一步降低的趋势。 结论经食管超声心动图检查能获得可测量的左心耳（包括房颤患者）组织多普勒图像,可作为分析左心耳功能的重要补充。     

双平面食管超声与经胸超声对左心耳血栓的诊断价值

应用经胸及双平面食管超声心动图（ＴＴＥ和ＴＥＥ）检测５５例手术证实的风湿性二尖瓣病变者左心耳血栓形成情况，ＴＥＥ对左心耳血栓的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及准确性分别为１００％、９７．４％、９４．１％、１００％及９８．２％，而ＴＴＥ的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及准确性分别为３１．３％、８９．７％、５５．６％、７６．０％、及７２．７％。左心耳血栓多附着于心耳顶部及外侧壁。结果表明：ＴＥＥ对左心耳的检测价值明显高于ＴＴＥ；双平面ＴＥＥ不能进一步提高ＴＥＥ对左心耳血栓的检测能力；提高ＴＴＥ对左心耳的检测能力有赖于对左心耳的完整显示及对血栓附着部位的认识。     

非风湿性心房纤颤患者左心耳及左房功能的超声研究

目的： 了解非风湿性心房纤颤患者的左心耳及左房功能改变的特点。方法： 分析了２７ 例患者左心耳和左房的超声表现。结果： 左心耳血流频谱可为两种： 清晰型 （峰速≥２５ｃｍ ／ｓ） 占 ４０．８％ （１１／２７）, 模糊型 （峰速＜ ２５ｃｍ ／ｓ） 占５９．２％ （１６／２７）。与清晰型相比, 频谱模糊型患者的左心耳充盈血流峰速、排血峰速及左心耳面积变化率显著减小, 左心耳内径及面积增大, 自发性超声对比 （ＳＥＣ） 现象检出率显著增高 （Ｐ＜ ０．０５）, 且４ 例患者发现血栓。而两型间的左房功能无显著性差异。结论： 非风湿性房颤患者的左心耳功能改变有其特点, 超声了解之有助临床预测血栓形成及指导治疗。     

阵发性房颤环肺静脉电隔离术前后左房结构和功能的研究

目的经胸超声心动图(TTE)和经食道超声心动图(TEE)联合应用对阵发性房颤患者肺静脉前庭电隔离术前后左房、左心耳结构和功能的评价。方法46例阵发性房颤患者和16例正常对照组接受TTE和TEE检查,测量左房内径指数(LADI)、左房面积指数(LAAI)、左房容积指数(LAVI)、左房射血力(LA-EF)、左心耳内径指数(LAADI)、左心耳最大面积指数(LAAmaxI)、左心耳最小面积指数(LAAminI)、左心耳射血分数(LAA-EF)、左心耳最大排空血流速度(LAA-P)和左心耳最大充盈血流速度(LAA-F)及有无血栓征象。41例确诊无左心房及左心耳血栓的患者行肺静脉前庭电隔离术。术后6个月以上对其中39例患者随访行TTE和TEE复查。结果肺静脉前庭电隔离术组、术后随访组与正常对照组间左房结构、功能均有显著差异(P<0.05～P<0.01)。三组间左心耳的结构和功能亦均有显著差异(P<0.05～P<0.01)。阵发性房颤患者左房、左心耳结构与其功能的变化呈线性负相关。结论TTE和TEE联合应用为评价阵发性房颤患者左房的结构、功能以及肺静脉前庭电隔离术前病例的筛选、术后疗效的评估提供重要信息。     

经食道超声心动图评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能的临床意义

  目的  探究经食道超声心动图（TEE）评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能的临床价值及意义。  方法  选取2016年8月~2020年8月于成都市新都区人民医院行TEE检查且确诊为非瓣膜性房颤的患者138例为房颤组,另选取同期因怀疑为其他心血管疾病而接受TEE检查的对象47例作为对照组。TEE多切面观察两组患者的左心耳超声图像,应用Simpson双平面法获取左心耳容积参数,所有对象均通过经胸超声心动图采集左房三维容积图像,并导入Qlab9.0分析软件,获取左房的容积及变化参数。比较两组患者的左心房、左心耳容积参数和血流动力学参数,分析不同左心耳功能患者的血栓形成及自发显影情况。  结果  房颤组患者的左房射血分数、左心耳射血分数、心耳容积变化率、左心耳最大排空速度和体表面积标化的左心耳排空指数均小于对照组（P < 0.05）,左房最大容积、左房最小容积、左心耳最大容积和左心耳最小容积均大于对照组（P < 0.05）。房颤组中,左心耳功能正常89例（64.49%）,左心耳功能轻度下降31例（22.46%）,左心耳功能中重度下降18例（13.04%）,不同左心耳功能状态患者的血栓形成和自发显影情况比较,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）,且功能中重度下降患者的血栓形成率高于轻度下降和正常患者（P < 0.05）;功能中重度下降患者的自发显影严重程度高于正常患者（P < 0.05）。  结论  TEE在评估非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳容积和功能中具有良好的临床价值,患者左心耳功能下降水平越高,发生血栓形成和自发显影风险越大。      

风湿性心脏病合并心房颤动患者左心耳应变率与心肌纤维化的相关性研究

摘 要 目的 应用二维斑点追踪成像技术评价风湿性心脏病合并心房颤动(房颤)患者的左心耳功能,探讨左心耳应变率与心肌的纤维化程度的相关性。方法 回顾性分析2019年1月至2020年12月就诊于宜昌市中心人民医院的36例接受瓣膜置换术联合改良射频迷宫术的风湿性心脏病合并房颤患者,入组患者术前均接受经食道超声心动图检查,测得左心耳应变率参数,收集左心耳标本,定量左心耳纤维化程度。随访6个月后根据是否复发房颤分为复发组和非复发组。结果 随访6个月后,8例复发房性心律失常。与非复发组相比,复发组收缩期左心耳应变率及左心耳基底段应变率、左心耳顶段应变率均低于非复发组;复发组左心耳纤维化程度较非复发组更严重,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。相关性分析显示收缩期左心耳应变率与左心耳整体纤维化程度呈负相关（r=-0.766,P<0.01）;左心耳基底段、中间段、顶段的应变率与对应节段的纤维化程度呈负相关(r=-0.752,-0.547,-0.589,均P<0.01)。结论 消融术后复发者左心耳纤维化程度更重。风湿性心脏病合并房颤患者的左心耳应变率与纤维化程度呈负相关,分段研究中左心耳基底段与纤维化程度相关性最显著。研究结果表明二维斑点追踪成像技术在评估心肌纤维化程度方面具有一定的价值。     

房颤患者左心耳血栓形成与结构功能的关系

目的 分析房颤患者血栓形成与左心耳结构功能的关系。方法 采用经食管超声心动图检测88例房颤患者及18例对照组患者的左心腔前后径(LA-D)、左心耳入口宽度(LAA-W)、左心耳长度(LAA-L)、左心耳前壁、后壁及顶部的运动速度及左心耳充盈及排空速度等指标。根据左心耳内透声,将房颤患者分为无自发显影(NO SEC)亚组、自发显影(SEC)亚组、泥浆样改变(sludge)亚组和血栓(thrombosis)亚组,并将各指标与对照组进行比较。结果 与对照组相比,房颤组患者左心耳结构及功能均有不同程度的改变;sludeg亚组及thrombosis亚组的LAA-W均较对照组增大,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);血栓亚组的LAA-L较对照组增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);房颤各亚组的LA-D均较对照组扩大(P均<0.05);房颤各亚组的左心耳充盈及排空速度均较对照组降低(P均<0.05),在血栓亚组降低更为明显;除无自发显影亚组外,余各亚组的左心耳各壁运动速度差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。结论 房颤患者左心耳内血栓形成与左心耳的结构以及功能改变密切相关。     

Novel computed tomography indexes of left atrial appendage stasis

Contrast enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) may detect left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus; however, its ability to qualify LAA stasis has not been studied. We sought to identify MDCT derived LAA radiographic parameters which could qualify LAA stasis as defined by established transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) parameters. Pre-procedural MDCT followed by TEE (median procedural time difference of 11 days) from 45 patients who underwent ablation for atrial fibrillation were analyzed retrospectively. Contrast enhanced, non-gated, helical MDCT (64 detector row) was performed according to the institutional protocol. Using a combination of parametric and nonparametric tests, the mean attenuation and heterogeneity parameters of LAA attenuation were correlated with the presence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and Doppler derived LAA emptying velocity on TEE. If significant correlation is observed, a receiver operating curve analysis will be performed. The baseline characteristics of the studied population were; age, 62 ± 11; CHADS2 score, 2.0 ± 1.2; heart rate, 79 ± 10 bpm; left ventricular ejection fraction, 49 ± 14 %. SEC was seen on TEE in 19 patients; ten with mild, eight with moderate, and one had severe SEC. No patients had LAA thrombus. Compared with the group without SEC, those with SEC had significantly increased coefficient of variation (0.19 vs. 0.14, p = 0.014) and range to mean ratio (1.04 vs. 0.73, p = 0.011). There was no significant correlation between mean LAA attenuation and LAA emptying velocity. However, the range, range to mean ratio, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of LAA attenuation had a significantly negative correlation with LAA emptying velocity (r = ?0.486, r = ?0.497, r = ?0.434, r = ?0.466, respectively, all p < 0.05). On receiver operating curve analysis, each of the heterogeneity parameters significantly discriminated LAA emptying velocities ≤30 cm/s, with areas under the curve of 0.88, 0.83, 0.81 and 0.76 respectively. In patients with atrial fibrillation, increased contrast heterogeneity within the LAA on MDCT correlated with decreased LAA emptying velocity on TEE. Contrast enhanced MDCT provides an adjunctive, noninvasive technique for Qualification of LAA stasis.     

Double-contrast,single-phase computed tomography angiography for ruling out left atrial appendage thrombus prior to atrial fibrillation ablation

Prior to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, computed tomography angiography (CTA) is increasingly used for left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus detection. LAA filling defects on CTA may represent thrombus or incomplete contrast mixing with blood. A pre-bolus of contrast material with delay before the CTA contrast bolus can help distinguish between thrombus and incomplete contrast mixing. We present results from a double-contrast, single-phase CTA protocol used in our daily clinical practice. In patients who underwent AF ablation between 2011 and 2015, double-contrast, single-phase CTA was performed prior to ablation. Two contrast boluses (30 and 70 ml) with 25-s interbolus delay were administered followed by prospectively triggered cardiac CTA. Only patients with left atrial (LA) or LAA filling defects underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out thrombus. Prior to ablation, 605 CTA-scans were performed (median radiation dose: 3.1 mSv). In 579 CTA-scans (95.7?%), the LA and LAA completely filled with contrast. In 26 CTA-scans (4.3?%) the LAA showed a filling defect whereby thrombus could not be excluded. In 2 of those 26 patients (7.7?% and 0.3?% of the total population), TEE verified LAA thrombus. Low-risk LAA filling defects on CTA (n?=?7/26) with an inhomogeneous aspect, Houndsfield Unit values >100, and an indefinite border were all caused by incomplete contrast mixing. No thromboembolic complications occurred perioperatively or during 6 months follow-up. Prior to AF ablation, incidence of LAA filling defects on double-contrast, single-phase CTA is low. TEE remains warranted in all but low-risk filling defects to rule out thrombus.     

Transesophageal echocardiography assessment of left atrial appendage function in untreated systemic hypertensive patients in sinus rhythm.

To assess left atrial appendage (LAA) function in hypertensive patients without treatment, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 46 hypertensive patients in sinus rhythm, aged 40 to 55 years, and in 16 control subjects (group I) without cardiovascular disease, aged 41 to 54 years. The hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups according to left ventricular (LV) systolic function: group II, the group with normal LV systolic function (ejection fraction 0.63 +/- 0.08), and group III, the group with LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 0.39 +/- 0.05). The LAA late emptying velocities (EVs) were significantly reduced in the hypertensive subgroups compared with the control group (P <.001), but no significant difference in the LAAEV was found between groups II and III. The LAAEV in the hypertensive patients had a significant negative correlation with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and left atrial (LA) diameter. The maximal LAA areas were significantly larger in the hypertensive subgroups than in the control group (P <.05). No significant difference in LAA maximal area existed between groups II and III. The maximal LAA area in the hypertensive patients had a significant positive correlation with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and LA diameter, but a significant negative correlation with LV ejection fraction. With TEE, LA spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) was present in 6 (43%) of 14 patients in group III (P <.01) and in 7 (22%) of 32 patients in group II (P <.05). No significant difference in the occurrence of LASEC was found between groups II and III. Left atrial appendage thrombi by TEE were observed in 4 (29%) of 14 patients in group III (P <.05) and in 4 (13%) of 32 patients in group II (P = not significant). No significant difference in the occurrence of LAA thrombus existed between groups II and III. In conclusion, in patients with untreated hypertension, marked elevation of afterload imposed on the left atrium may involve both the left atrium and the LAA, resulting in impairment of LAA function. This condition may worsen with subsequent occurrence of SEC and later, thrombus formation. Therefore assessment of LAA function may be important even in the hypertensive patient in sinus rhythm.     

心房颤动患者左心房自发超声显影的超声学和方法学研究

目的 探讨心房颤动（房颤）患者左心房自发超声显影（SEC）的超声学机制。方法经胸或经食管超声心动图分别测定44例房颤患者左心功能、形态学参数、左心耳和左上肺静脉血流速度，背向散射积分定量测量左心房SEC，共线性分析筛选独立的血流速度参数，后者与显著性形态学指标行多因素分析。结果 与左心房SEC显著性相关的有左心房内径、左心耳入口内径、左心耳排空／充盈血流速度峰值、积分（Vi）和充盈血流速度平均值（RVm）、左上肺静脉血流速度S／D波峰值、S波积分（PVS-VTI）和D波平均值（PVD-M）（P〈0．05-0．01）。共线性分析显示，RVm、RVi、PVS-VTI和PVD-M为独立、代表性血流速度指标。多因素分析显示，RVm和PVD-M为左心房SEC的独立预测因子（P〈0．05）。结论 左心耳充盈顺应性降低和跨二尖瓣血流的阻挡为左心房SEC形成的主要超声学机制，共线性分析为研究血流动力学和左心房SEC之间相互关系的有效方法。     

Left atrial appendage-flow velocity predicts cardioversion success in atrial fibrillation

Restoration of sinus rhythm by electrical cardioversion is a therapeutic option in appropriately selected patients with atrial fibrillation. It is important to determine predictors of electrical cardioversion outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation. Predictive value of clinical and conventional echocardiographic parameters for predicting cardioversion outcome is limited. The role of left atrial appendage (LAA) function, which may reflect left atrial contractile function, for prediction of cardioversion outcome remains unclear. We conducted a single center prospective study to evaluate the role of LAA function for prediction of cardioversion success in patients with atrial fibrillation. One hundred sixty three patients with atrial fibrillation underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before electrical cardioversion. LAA functions, including LAA peak flow velocity, LAA area and LAA ejection fraction, were examined. Cardioversion was successful in 133 patients and unsuccessful in 30 patients. Mean LAA peak emptying flow velocity was significantly higher in the patients with successful cardioversion than in those with unsuccessful cardioversion (0.34 +/- 0.14 vs 0.27 +/- 0.1 m/sec; p = 0.013). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, only LAA flow velocity (> 0.28 m/sec, odds ratio = 2.8 ; p = 0.03) proved to be an independent predictor of cardioversion success. LAA area (p = 0.18) and LAA ejection fraction (p = 0.52) were not different between successful and unsuccessful cardioversion groups. Therefore, measurement of LAA flow velocity provides valuable information for prediction of cardioversion outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation before TEE guided cardioversion.     

Relationship between left atrial appendage emptying and left atrial function using cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with atrial fibrillation: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography

To compare cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) quantifications of left atrium (LA) function and left atrial appendage (LAA) emptying depending on the presence of LA spontaneous echogenic contrast (LA-SEC) on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 48 patients with AF underwent sequential CMR examination and TEE in preparation for catheter ablation. The CMR protocol included cine and velocity encoding (VENC) sequences for evaluation of both LA function and LAA emptying. The peak blood velocity of LAA just before left ventricle systole was defined as the LAA emptying velocity (LAA-EV). Depending on the presence of LA-SEC on TEE, patients were divided into two groups, the SEC group (n?=?15) and the non-SEC group (n?=?33). Mean LAA-EV was significantly greater in the non-SEC group than in the SEC group (54.5?±?24.8 ml/s vs. 26.0?±?22.6 ml/s, P?<?0.01). LAA-EV had a significant positive relationship (P?<?0.05) with LAA backflow velocity, as assessed using TEE. Use of an optimal LAA-EV cutoff value of 35 ml/s to predict LA-SEC yielded a sensitivity of 80.0?%, a specificity of 75.7?%, and positive and negative predictive values of 58.8 and 83.9?%, respectively. Using VENC-CMR, LAA-EV is associated with LA function and can be useful for predicting LA-SEC in patients with AF.     

The diagnostic efficacy of cardiac CTA combined with D-dimer assay for the detection of left atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate a combination diagnostic method of single-phased, single-contrast injection cardiac computed tomography angiography CTA combined with age-adjusted D-dimer assay for diagnosis of left atrial/left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus in comparison to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with atrial fibrillation. The addition of D-dimer to the CTA is to increase specificity, since CTA is part of the combined method.Materials and methodsBetween October 2016 and December 2017, 113consective patients with non-valvular or valvular AF (male: 72.6%; mean age: 57.9 ± 11.5 y) underwent diagnostic work-up, included TEE, single-phased, single contrast injection cardiac CTA, and age-adjusted D-dimer assay, for the evaluation of LA/LAA thrombus formation.ResultsCardiac CTA identified 32 patients with filling defects in LA or LAA. Of these patients, 17 had an elevated D-dimer value according to age-adjusted cut-off. TEE detected definitive thrombus formation in 15 patients. Using TEE as the reference standard, the combination diagnostic method had a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 97.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.2, and negative predictive value of 100.0%. Further, compared to cardiac CTA alone, the combination diagnostic method had significantly better specificity (82.7% vs. 97.9%, respectively; p < 0.01) and PPV (46.9% vs. 88.2%, respectively; p < 0.01).ConclusionThe combination diagnostic method comprising single-phase, single-contrast injection cardiac CTA and age-adjusted D-dimer assay had good diagnostic efficacy for the detection of LA/LAA thrombus in patients with AF. The combination diagnostic method had significantly better specificity and PPV than cardiac CTA alone.The presented diagnostic approach could potentially facilitate rapid diagnosis or exclusion of left atrial thrombus under emergency situation or when TEE is un-available, with good diagnostic efficacy and no TEE related risks.