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A curious case of an absent left atrial appendage
Author(s) -
Singam Narayana Sarma V.,
Gopinathannair Rakesh,
Stidam Jeffrey M.,
Solankhi Naresh K.,
Bessen Matthew,
Stoddard Marcus F.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/echo.14151
Subject(s) - appendage , medicine , atrial fibrillation , intracardiac injection , cardiology , thrombus , atrial appendage , transesophageal echocardiogram , sinus rhythm , anatomy
The left atrial appendage ( LAA ) in the setting of non‐valvular atrial fibrillation ( NVAF ) is the predominant location for intracardiac thrombus formation. An absent LAA is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly. We present a case of a 79‐year‐old female with NVAF , high CHADS 2 VASC 2 score, and high bleeding risk who presented for elective Watchman™ left atrial appendage closure device implant. A pre‐procedural transesophageal echocardiography showed an absent LAA . This finding was confirmed with cardiac computed tomography and a left atrial angiogram. The patient was discharged on medical therapy with close outpatient follow‐up.