Left atrial appendage flow during atrial fibrillation, as determined by pulsed Doppler during transoesophageal echocardiography. Left atrial appendage flow during atrial fibrillation, as determined by pulsed Doppler during transoesophageal echocardiography. Both the velocity and the pattern of flow have been related to the formation of thrombi and to the development of subsequent thromboembolic events. In this example, a well defined flow pattern is present and the maximum inflow velocity is approaching 0.4 m/s, a relatively high velocity. Thus the risk of thrombus formation in this patient would be relatively low. N M Al-Saady et al. Heart 1999;82:547-554 Copyright © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Cardiovascular Society. All rights reserved.