Age-related changes in morphology of left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age and frequency of left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with sinus rhythm (SR). We enrolled 145 AF patients, and 199 SR patients for the control group without any cardiovascular disease. LAA volume index (LAAVi) and morphology were assessed by electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography. LAA morphology was classified into “chicken wing” or “non-chicken wing” according to the previously described classification. There was no significant trend in frequency of non-chicken wing morphology among ages in the SR group (p = 0.36 for trend), whereas the frequency was negatively related to age in the AF group (p = 0.002 for trend). In multivariable logistic regression, age > 65 (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, p = 0.002) and duration of AF (OR 0.53, p = 0.010) and LAAVi (OR 0.62, p = 0.017) were independent factors of non-chicken wing LAA morphology in the AF group. LAA morphology is affected by age, especially in patients with AF. When we utilize non-chicken wing LAA morphology as a stroke risk factor in patients with AF, we should pay attention to their age.