Evaluation of the relationship between D-Dimer level and prediction of atrial thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder and increases mortality and morbidity. This disease can increase coagulability in the atria, in which case the patient will be prone to embolism and subsequent consequences. Trans Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE) is very accurate for identifying left atrial thrombosis and can be used with high accuracy at the bedside. Electrical cardioversion is usually used to treat atrial fibrillation rhythm and create sinus rhythm, which is the fastest and most effective method. Cardioversion carries a significant thromboembolic risk that persists for up to 10 days after cardioversion. In this study, we decided to use the d-dimer level as a non-invasive method to check the possibility of intra-atrial thrombosis. Materials and methods: In this study, 100 patients with atrial fibrillation candidates for electrical cardioversion were included. On the day of cardioversion, to ensure the absence of an intra-atrial thrombosis, TEE was performed for patients, and on the same day, the level of d-dimer was also checked, and finally, the predictive effect of d-dimer to check the presence of an intra-atrial thrombosis according to the results TEE was checked. Results: Intra-atrial thrombosis was not observed in any of the patients included in the study, but the average level of d-dimer was significantly higher in those who had SEC in their TEE than those without SEC (P value = 0.001).