Utilization of the Transgastric View of the Left Atrial Appendange for Procedural Guidance during Left Atrial Appendage Clip Via Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation is procedure which isolates the LAA and can decrease the risk of thrombus and arrhythmias in patients with atrial fibrillation, allowing patients to come off home anticoagulation medications. This procedure can be done through minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery and requires guidance by transesophageal echocardiography. Visualization of the LAA and associated intrathoracic structures is vital for the success of the procedure. This echo rounds report describes an under-utilized method for LAA assessment to encourage cardiac anesthesiologists to consider employing it to increase their ability to completely evaluate the LAA.