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The Role of Repeat Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients without Atrial Thrombus Prior to Cardioversion or Ablation
Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, 07/03/2012
Smith SA et al. – Fewer than 1% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with negative results on baseline TEE had thrombi detected on repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before subsequent Cardioversion (CV) or radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). Thus, it may be possible to selectively screen patients to identify those at low risk for developing thrombi subsequent to negative results on initial TEE, especially if patients are in sinus rhythm. These results suggest the need for a prospective trial to definitively answer the question regarding repeat TEE in low–risk patients.