EVALUATION OF ELEVATED SERUM LIPOPROTEIN laJ AS A RISK FACTOR FOR LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Abstract

In a study for evaluating the effect of elevated serum lipoprotein (a) as a risk factor for left atrial thrombus in patients with chronic AF. We investigated 50 patients in the National heart institute and Benha University Hospital between Feb. 2001 and November 2002. - Where tranthroacic and TEE studies was done searching for SEC, LAA peak flow velocity and left atrial thrombus. - Also the serum level of fibrinogen concentration, plasminogen D•

diamers and total cholesterol was meased by laboratory assays.

- All the echo and lab data were collected tabulated and statistically analysed. Patients was divided into 2 groups of patients. • Patients with and without LA thrombus group.

• Patients with high and low Lp(a) group [Lp(a) 2> 30 considered high

Lp(a)].

In our study we found that Lp(a) was higher in patients with left atrial thrombus. LA thrombus were present in 23 of 30 subjects with Lp(a) level > 30 mg/dL.

Lp(a) may promote thrombus formation in the left atrium in patients with chronic AF by inhibiting the fibrinolytic system left atrial appendage is the most common site of left atrial thrombus formation it is presumed that blood stasis is most pronounced in the left atrial appendage. In the present study the left atrial thrombus and all patients with left atrial thrombus had left atrial appendage peak flow velocity< 25 cm/sec.