Global peak left atrial longitudinal strain assessed by transthoracic echocardiography is a good predictor of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients in sinus rhythm with heart failure and very low ejection fraction - an observational study.

LAAT was relatively common in our group of HF patients and PALS has shown prognostic potential in LAAT identification. Further research is needed to determine whether initiation of anticoagulation or additional screening supported by PALS measurements will improve clinical outcomes in these patients.