Background: Left atrial appendage has a significant role in cardiac hemodynamics. In dysfunction this appendage forms as a substrate for thrombus formation leading to potentially destructive embolic problems.

Aim: To assess the effects of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on left atrial appendage functions, spontaneous echo contrast and development of thrombus in patients having non­valvular atrial fibrillation.

Materials and Methods: We carried our study on 80 subjects suffering from chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrilation at Prathima Institute of Medical Education,  Karimnagar, Telangana, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Patients were divided in two groups: Group D (n=40): subjects with diastolic dysfunction, Group N (n=40): subjects without  diastolic dysfunction. Left atrial appendage functions, left atrial spontaneous echo contrast grading and left ventricular diastolic functions were assessed using transoesophageal and transthoracic echocardiograms.

Results: In Group D, pulmonary vein D level was significantly higher than group N (p<0.001) whereas, LAA filling velocity, LAA lateral wall velocity and pulmonary vein S/D levels were significantly lower than Group N (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left atrial appendage functions was reduced and therefore it may signify a probable risk for formation of thrombus and stroke.