Incidence of left atrial thrombus prior to atrial fibrillation ablation: is pre-procedural transoesophageal echocardiography mandatory?
In patients presenting for AF ablation, LA thrombus is only seen in those with clinical risk factors. TOE is indicated in this group but may be unnecessary in patients without clinical risk factors.
Increased levels of CRP in serum may be a better predictor of carotid restenosis after CEA than other established risk factors for vascular disease--except active smoking.