What is the role of echocardiography in evaluation of atrial fibrillation?
The role of echocardiography in evaluation of atrial fibrillation is to evaluate thromboembolic risk stratification to select appropriate antithrombotic therapy. It may also be used to evaluate before cardioversion or ablation, and in predicting the presence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. Studies have shown an association between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters and ischemic stroke, but there is no evidence to suggest that there is any incremental clinical benefit in risk prediction or that management will be changed. The most consistent independent predictor of ischemic stroke on TTE is the presence of moderate- severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. 