I'm 19 years old here and i'm pretty worried about Atrial Appendage Enlargement .A recent medical review shows a possibility that i had an Enlargement of my Left Atrial Appendage. I'm sent to do an echocardiogram soon but before that i wish to know what are the effects of the elargement of LAA.

Hi Fluny,

The left ventricle artrial appendage is anatomically between pericardium (outer heart layer) and left ventricle (pumping chamber). Physiologically it functions as a decompression chamber during LV filling and other periods when LV pressure is high. The significance if a problem, it would impede filling and pumping of the LV.

Does it mean the enlargement of LAA will impede the functions of LV ? Am i right to say the heart will fail if the LV chamber fails to function ? I've read on some ocassion LAA is removed to prevent strokes as LAA enlarges with age as LAA can sometimes be the place where blood starts to clot.

Does it mean the enlargement of LAA will impede the functions of LV ? Am i right to say the heart will fail if the LV chamber fails to function ? I've read on some ocassion LAA is removed to prevent strokes as LAA enlarges with age as LAA can sometimes be the place where blood starts to clot.

If there is a problem with an enlarged LAA, it would/could effect the LV wall. There could be a crowding out of LV space compromising the cardiac output by reducing flexility for contraction and incomplete relaxation for filling. With a reduction of cardiac ouput and when system compensation declines, there will be heart failure.

An echo will determine the chamber size of the LV at a time just prior to contraction and the chamber size when completely relaxed for filling. The measurements will help indicate how well and efficiently the heart is functioning.

I am unaware regarding clotting, but if blood is pumped inefficiently there could be clotting in the LA, LV and vessels. Also pressure builds up and there could be clotting in the lungs as well as fluids leaking into the lungs.

Many people as they age the left ventricle increases in size. The heart increases in size to compensate for its difficulty to pump blood through hardened arteries, reduction in the diameter of vessels, etc. Some athletes have a well conditioned enlarged heart as well and enjoy good health.