Figure 4. Atrial cardiopathy and its impact on atrial fibrillation.

A normal left atrium can undergo progressive fibrosis and mechanical dysfunction due to the negative influence of multiple factors, eventually leading to the development of atrial fibrillation. Such a pathologic process can be identified, quantified, and monitored using echocardiographic testing geared at assessing left atrial and left atrial appendage morphology and function. AF, atrial fibrillation; LA, left atrium; LAA, left atrial appendage; TIA, transient ischemic attack.