Effect of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on left atrial appendage function: a Doppler tissue study.

The aim of this study was to compare left atrial appendage (LAA) functions by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). Twenty patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV were included in this study. LAA functions were measured before and after PBMV. To determine LAA functions, LAA late filling (LAALF) velocity, LAA late emptying (LAALE) velocity, and area change of LAA percent were measured. In the DTI records, the first positive wave identical to the LAALE wave after the P wave was accepted as LAA late systolic wave, and the second negative wave identical to the LAALF flow was accepted as late diastolic wave. There was no difference in LAALF velocity and area change of LAA percent after PBMV. LAALE velocity increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .005). Late emptying, systolic, and diastolic wave values measured by DTI were found to be increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .023, P = .002, and P = .002, respectively). LAALE velocity measured by standard Doppler was increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .005), but there was no change in area change of LAA percent or LAALF. Spontaneous echocontrast was present in 7 of the 20 patients before procedure. It completely disappeared (4 patients) or decreased (3 patients) after procedure. In patients with spontaneous echocontrast, LAALE and late emptying, systolic, and diastolic wave values measured by DTI were found to be increased after PBMV compared with baseline. Our results suggest that PBMV improves LAA functions and, thereby, may have a favorable influence on future thromboembolic complications.