Open AccessLeft Atrial Appendage Closure Under Intracardiac Echocardiographic Guidance: Feasibility and Comparison With Transesophageal Echocardiography
Author(s) -
Matsuo Yae,
Neuzil Petr,
Petru Jan,
Chovanec Milan,
Janotka Marek,
Choudry Subbarao,
Skoda Jan,
Sediva Lucie,
Kurabayashi Masahiko,
Reddy Vivek Y.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the american heart association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.494
H-Index - 85
ISSN - 2047-9980
DOI - 10.1161/jaha.116.003695
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , intracardiac injection , fluoroscopy , cardiology , left atrial appendage occlusion , appendage , atrial appendage , catheter , transesophageal echocardiogram , radiology , sinus rhythm , warfarin , anatomy
Background Transcatheter left atrial appendage closure is an alternative therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. These procedures are currently guided with transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy in most centers. As intracardiac echocardiography ( ICE ) is commonly used in other catheter‐based procedures, we sought to determine the safety and effectiveness of intracardiac echocardiography–guided left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device. Methods and Results A total of 27 patients (11 males, 77.0±8.5 years) with atrial fibrillation receiving Watchman left atrial appendage closure under intracardiac echocardiography guidance at a single center were investigated. All patients were implanted successfully. There were no major procedural complications. The overall procedure‐related complication rate was 14.8%, mainly due to access site hematoma. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated successful closure of the left atrial appendage in all patients at 45 days after device implant. Conclusions Transcatheter left atrial appendage closure with intracardiac echocardiography guidance is safe and feasible.