Left atrial appendage

Sakurai K, et al, Left atrial appendage function and abnormal hypercoagulability in patients with atrial flutter, Chest 2003 ... 

Odell JA, et al, Thoracoscopic obliteration of the left atrial appendage potential for stroke reduction Ann Thorac Surg 1996 61 (2) 565—569. 

Ostermayer SH, Reisman M, Kramer PH, et al. Percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion (PLAATO system) to prevent stroke in high-risk patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation Results from the international multi-center feasibility trials. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005 46( I ) 9-14. 

Left atrial thrombus Left atrial appendage thrombus Spontaneous echo contrast Intracardiac tumors Atrial septal defect ... 

AO Aorta MPA Main pulmonary artery RSCV Right superior vena cava TV Tricuspid valve MV Mitral valve PV Pulmonary valve AV Aortic valve RA Right atrium LAA Left atrial appendage RV Right ventricle LV Left ventricle LV-PM Left ventricle, muscle IVS Interventricular septum CR Crista supraventricularis SN sinus node AVN + B Atrioventricular node LBB Left bundle branch. 

The PA view CXR outlines the superior vena cava, right atrium on the right and left sides, aortic knob, main pulmonary artery, left atrial appendage (especially if enlarged), and left ventricle. In the lateral view, the CXR visualizes the right ventricle, inferior vena cava, and left ventricle. These structures are visualized as shadows of differing density rather than discrete structures (Fig. 11-2). 

For subsequent histochemical confirmation of acute MI, an atrial line for the administration of triphenyltetrazolium chloride is inserted into the left atrial appendage. 

Shapiro, M.D., et al.. Multidetector computed tomography for the detection of left atrial appendage thrombus a comparative study with transesophageal echocardiography. J Comput Assist Tomogr, 2007. 31(6) p. 905-9. 

Kim, Y.Y., et al.. Left atrial appendage filling defects identified by multidetector computed tomography in patients undergoing radiofrequency pulmonary vein antral isolation a comparison with transesophageal echocardiography. Am Heart J, 2007. 154(6) p. 1199-205. 

Fig. 4. 96 Right anterior oblique (RAO) (panel A) and left anterior oblique (LAO) (panel B) sections of the male heart obtained from the EPFL s visible human surface server, EPFL 1998. Panel A shows the inferior caval vein (ICV), the inferior isthmus (CTI), the supraventricular crest (SVC), the aorta (Ao), and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The white dot signals the site corresponding to the membranous septum or the maximal His-Bundle potential is usually recorded. In the LAO projection, the right atrial appendage (RAA) and the right and left atria at the level of the atrial ventricular junction s are depicted. The white dot also signals the area were the his bundle is recorded. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is superior, (from Farre J, Anderson RH, Cabrera JA, et al Fluorscopic cardiac anatomy for catheter ablation of tachycardia. PACE 25 88, 2002)...

Fig. 4.97 Axial section of the heart obtained from the visible human surface server. Right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV) and left atrial appendage (LAA). PACE 25 88, 2002. (from Farre J, Anderson RH, Cabrera JA, et al Fluorscopic cardiac anatomy for catheter ablation of tachycardia. PACE 25 88, 2002)...

First the pulmonary artery is separated from the aorta but one has to be careful not to injure the left main coronary artery. The incision in the left atrial appendage is closed with a polypropylene running suture. If the biatrial technique is employed for implantation the SVC is also closed with a 4-0 polypropylene running suture. It is of great importance not to jeopardize the donor sinoatrial node. The pulmonary artery is then transected at the bifurcation. 

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