Transesophageal Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Atrial Appendage Anatomy and Function: Comparison with the Left Atrial Appendage and Implications for Local Thrombus Formation

In this consecutive series of patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography, RAA anatomic and functional parameters were found to be independent of imaging plane, with anatomic measures demonstrating a correlation with LAA measures. Although AF is associated with depressed RAA and LAA ejection velocities, anatomic RAA remodeling appears to be absent. The larger RAA width and lack of anatomic remodeling may partially explain the substantially lower prevalence of RAA thrombus found among patients with AF.