Transesophageal echocardiography in atrial fibrillation

摘要

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF), mainly to detect the presence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. It is useful in direct current cardioversion (DCC) guidance and for AF ablation and LAA occlusion. With the increasing number of patients affected by AF, the use of TEE will grow and become an important screening modality for LAA thrombus. Future direction includes broader multi-institutional use; further tools to risk stratify patients; and the use of a new spectrum of oral anticoagulants and their cost-effectiveness in patients with AF undergoing DCC, AF ablation, and LAA occlusion.