The Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of D-Dimer for the diagnosis of left atrial appendage (LAA)
thrombus in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: 80 patients with chronic AF who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied prospectively. 45 patients had LAA thrombus diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) constituted group I (LAA thrombus group). The other 35 patients without LAA thrombus constituted group II. All the 45 patients (100%) in group I with LAA thrombus had elevated D-Dimer levels while only 10 patients (28.5%) in group II without LAA thrombus had elevated DDimer levels (P < 0.001). All the patients received oral anticoagulation with warfarin keeping the INR between 2 and 3 for 3 months. TEE was done to all the patients at 3-month follow up.