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Thromboembolic events and need for anticoagulation therapy following left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with electrical isolation of the appendage
Author(s) -
Gadiyaram Varuna K.,
Mohanty Sanghamitra,
Gianni Carola,
Trivedi Chintan,
AlAhmad Amin,
Burkhardt David J.,
Gallinghouse Joseph G.,
Hranitzky Patrick M.,
Horton Rodney P.,
Sanchez Javier E.,
Della Rocca Domenico G.,
Di Biase Luigi,
Price Matthew J.,
Couts Linda,
Gibson Douglas,
Natale Andrea
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/jce.13838
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , percutaneous , discontinuation , left atrial appendage occlusion , anticoagulant therapy , cardiology , surgery , occlusion , stroke (engine) , atrial appendage , warfarin , mechanical engineering , sinus rhythm , engineering
Electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important adjunctive ablation strategy in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients who have impaired LAA contractility following isolation may require long‐term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy irrespective of their CHADS 2 ‐VASc score. Percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) is a potential alternative to life‐long OAC therapy. We aimed to assess the rate of OAC discontinuation and thromboembolic (TE) events following percutaneous LAAO in patients who underwent LAA electrical isolation (LAAI). Methods This is a retrospective two‐center study of patients who underwent percutaneous LAAO following LAAI. Patients with at least 3‐month follow‐up were included in the study. The antithrombotic therapy and TE events at the time of the last follow‐up were noted. Results The LAA was successfully occluded in 162 (with Watchman device in 140 [86.4%] and Lariat in 22 [13.6%]). A total of 32 patients had leaks detected on the 45‐day transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE); 21 (15%) Watchman and 11 (50%) Lariat cases ( P = 0.0001). Two (one Watchman and one Lariat) of the 32 leaks were more than 5 mm. After the 45‐day TEE, 150 (92.6%) patients were off‐OAC. No TE events were reported in the 150 patients who stopped the anticoagulants. Four (2.47%) patients experienced stroke following the LAAO (three Watchman and one Lariat) procedure while on‐OAC, two of which were fatal. At the median follow‐up of 18.5 months, 159 (98.15%) patients were off‐anticoagulant. Conclusion Up to 98% of patients with LAAI could safely discontinue OAC after undergoing the appendage closure procedure.