Obstructive Membrane at the Base of the Left Atrial Appendage, a Multi‐Imaging Approach

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 864 - 867
• Main Authors: Chejtman, Demián, Failo, Matías, Richarte Rueda, Valeria, Logarzo, Emilio, Barja, Luis, Benticuaga, Alejandro, Ayerdi, Maria Laura, Turri, Domingo, Baratta, Sergio, Aguirre, Pablo, Hita, Alejandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Atrial Appendage - abnormalities; Atrial Appendage - diagnostic imaging; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Humans; left atrial appendage function; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; membrane; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; transesophageal echocardiogram; left atrial appendage function; transesophageal echocardiogram; membrane
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.12852

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small muscular extension that grows from the anterolateral wall of the left atrium, in the proximity of the left pulmonary veins. The presence of a membrane in the LAA is a rare clinical entity whose origin is not known. Its clinical implication in the genesis of atrial arrhythmias and thromboembolic risk remains unknown. We report a case of an obstructive membrane located at the base of the LAA, found incidentally in a young patient who was initially undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram prior to an invasive treatment for atrial fibrillation. Mini‐ We report a case of an obstructive membrane located at the base of the LAA, found incidentally in a young patient who was initially undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram.