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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 5/2016

01-05-2016 | Cardiac

Assessment of normal left atrial appendage anatomy and function over gender and ages by dynamic cardiac CT

Authors: Samy Boucebci, Thomas Pambrun, Stéphane Velasco, Pier-Olivier Duboe, Pierre Ingrand, Jean-Pierre Tasu

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in anatomy and function according to age and gender using cardiac computed tomography (CT) in a large prospective cohort of healthy patients.

Background

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is considered the most frequent site of intracardiac thrombus formation. However, variations in normal in vivo anatomy and function according to age and gender remain largely unknown.

Methods

Three-dimensional (3D) cardiac reconstructions of the LAA were performed from CT scans of 193 consecutive patients. Parameters measured included LAA number of lobes, anatomical position of the LAA tip, angulation measured between the proximal and distal portions, minimum (iVolmin) and maximum (iVolmax) volumes indexed to body surface area (BSA), and ejection fraction (LAAEF). Relationship with age was assessed for each parameter.

Results

We found that men had longer and wider LAAs. The iVolmin and iVolmax increased by 0.23 and 0.19 ml per decade, respectively, while LAAEF decreased by 2 % per decade in both sexes.

Conclusions

Although LAA volumes increase, LAAEF decreases with age in both sexes.

Key Points

• Variations in normal left atrial appendage in vivo anatomy and function remain largely unknown.
• Cardiac CT is reliable for left atrial appendage volume measurements.
• Although LAA volumes increase, LAAEF decreases with age in both sexes.
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Metadata
Title
Assessment of normal left atrial appendage anatomy and function over gender and ages by dynamic cardiac CT
Authors
Samy Boucebci
Thomas Pambrun
Stéphane Velasco
Pier-Olivier Duboe
Pierre Ingrand
Jean-Pierre Tasu
Publication date
01-05-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3962-2

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