COMPARISION OF TRANSTHORACIC AND TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR THE DETECTION OF LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS IN RHEUMATIC MITRAL VALVULAR DISEASE

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 114 patients with rheumatic mitral valvular disease and its results were compared with those of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Of 114 patients, LA thrombus was detected in 32 patients by TEE whereas TTE could detect LA thrombus in only 4 of them. Out of 32 cases, thrombus was located in left atrial appendage (LAA) in 20 (62%). TTE could detect LAA thrombus in only one patient. The procedure of TEE was well tolerated and there was no complication. We conclude that TEE is superior to TTE in detection of LA cavity and LA appendage thrombus. Hence, TEE should be a routine procedure to detect LA thrombus in patients with rheumatic mitral valvular disease prior to any surgical intervention. Key Words: Left atrial appendage (LAA), Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE