The left atrial appendage(LAA) function was evaluated in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by pulse tissue Doppler echocardiographic examinations. Methods: One hundred and seventy-six patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were enrolled. Twenty-six patients having LAA thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast were selected as group Ⅰ and other 150 patients formed group Ⅱ. Thirty healthy subjects served as the control group(group Ⅲ). Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters included left atrial diameter(LAd), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left atrial ejection fraction(LAEF) and E/E’. In order to determine the LAA function, LAA peak filling flow velocity(LAAPFV), LAA peak emptying flow velocity(LAAPEV) and percentage of LAA area change(LAAAC) were measured. Pulse tissue Doppler of LAA wall parameters included LAA late systolic wave(LSW) and late diastolic wave(LDW). Results: Compared to group Ⅱ and III, LAAPFV, LAAPEV were lower in group Ⅰ(P<0.05); LAAAC and LAEF was also reduced in group Ⅰ(P<0.05); Pulse tissue Doppler LSW and LDW were found to be quite reduced in group Ⅰ(P<0.05); LAd and E/E’ increased in group Ⅰ(P<0.05). The study parameters were statistically similar in patients between group Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P>0.05). Conclusion: Pulse tissue Doppler may be a complement to flow velocities in evaluating LAA function for risk assessment of thromboembolism.