scholarly journals Simultaneous Functional and Morphological Assessment of Left Atrial Appendage by 3D Virtual Models

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Vivoli ◽  
Emanuele Gasparotti ◽  
Marco Rezzaghi ◽  
Elisa Cerone ◽  
Massimiliano Mariani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
User Interaction ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
3D Analysis ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Laa Closure ◽  
Simultaneous Assessment

Purpose. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is responsible for thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation. The evaluation of both LAA function and morphology is crucial for the patient characterization and the preprocedural planning of LAA closure intervention. Despite the availability of 3D imaging modalities, the current standard image analysis is based on manual delineation of the LAA contours on 2D views. Methods. In this study, a comprehensive approach based on a full 3D analysis of the tomographic dataset by surface extraction and processing (3D-S) is presented. The proposed method allows extracting functional and morphologic information in the entire cardiac cycle by minimalizing manual user interaction. The proposed methodology has been validated on ten computer tomography datasets. Results. The proposed 3D-S method was feasible in all cases. Reproducibility was improved with respect to the reference 2D manual procedure (2D-S) (coefficient of variation 2.9 vs. 4.1% for diastolic ostium area; 3.8 vs. 6.1% for systolic ostium area; 2.4 vs. 5.3% for diastolic LAA volume; 2.7 vs. 5.9% for systolic LAA volume; and 7.7 vs. 17.1% for LAA ejection fraction). No significant differences were found between 2D-S and 3D-S measurements. Conclusions. In this study, we introduced a fully 3D approach for LAA characterization, allowing the simultaneous assessment of LAA function and geometry. The proposed approach could be used to improve the patient selection and the best sizing of the device for LAA closure and to allow a patient-specific 3D printing.

P4731Procedure-related acute thrombosis after surgical left atrial appendage occlusion for atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Inoue ◽  
T Shimizu ◽  
A Yoshimoto ◽  
Y Suematsu
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Cardiac Ct ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Full Cohort ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Acute Thrombosis ◽  
Laa Closure

Abstract Background/Introduction Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an effective strategy for thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the novel methods of occlusion is various. The acute thrombosis after percutaneous LAA occlusion devices has been recently reported, but thrombus formation after surgical LAA occlusion is still unclear. Purpose This study aimed to analyse the incidence and prognosis of thrombus formation on closure stump line in patients with AF who underwent surgical LAA occlusion. Methods This study retrospectively analised the data from patients treated with two methods of surgical LAA closure, resection or clipping, from January 2014 to November 2018. Results A total of 187 consecutive patients with AF underwent surgical LAA closure (31 clipping and 156 stapler resection). 170 patients (91%) underwent cardiac CT for LAA imaging on postoperative day 2. The incidence of acute procedure-related thrombus formation in full cohort was 19% (35 cases). The incidence of acute thrombus in patients with clipping and resection was 19% and 16%, respectively (Fisher's exact test, p=0.8). All of 35 patients who had thrombus on LAA closure stump line underwent cardiac CT again 3 months after the primary CT. In all patients with secondary cardiac CT, thrombus on LAA closure stump line disappeared. No symptomatic thromboembolism occurred during the follow-up from operation to secondary CT scan. Conclusion(s) Thrombus formation on stump after surgical LAA closure may often occur on acute phase. The optimal LAA imaging and anti-coagulation therapy after surgical LAA occlusion will prevent patients with acute thrombus from thromboembolism.

scholarly journals Late left atrial appendage closure device displacement and massive thrombus formation: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Sasko ◽  
Oliver Ritter ◽  
Peter Bramlage ◽  
Fabian Riediger
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Closure Device ◽  
Watchman Device ◽  
High Bleeding Risk ◽  
Laa Closure

Abstract Background  Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the WATCHMAN device is an alternative to anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of stroke in selected patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Infrequently, left atrial (LA) device-related thrombus formation occurs and it is poorly understood. Thrombus formation due to incomplete covering of the LAA is even rarer and may occur within the first few months after device implantation. Case summary  Here, we present a case of a 68-year-old male patient with permanent AF, drug- and hepatitis induced liver cirrhosis (CILD Score B), and prior aortic valve replacement. The patient had a history of percutaneous LAA closure using a WATCHMAN device. He developed massive peri-device leak and thrombus arising from the space between the device and appendage cleft 2 years after implantation. Because of the high bleeding risk with a HAS-BLED score of 5 points, surgery was chosen as the therapy of choice instead of long-term anticoagulation. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition and has been scheduled for a yearly follow-up. Discussion  This case emphasizes the importance of choosing appropriately sized LAA occluder devices and planning for regular post-interventional follow-ups to minimize the risk of per-device leaks and thrombi.

scholarly journals Value of FEops HEARTguide patient-specific computational simulations in the planning of left atrial appendage closure with the Amplatzer Amulet closure device: rationale and design of the PREDICT-LAA study

Open Heart ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e001326
Author(s):  
Philippe Garot ◽  
Xavier Iriart ◽  
Adel Aminian ◽  
Joelle Kefer ◽  
Xavier Freixa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Computational Simulation ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Closure Device ◽  
Computational Simulations ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Laa Closure

BackgroundOptimal preprocedural planning is essential to ensure successful device closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA).DesignThe PREDICT-LAA study is a prospective, international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04180605). Two hundred patients eligible for LAA closure with an Amplatzer Amulet device (Abbott, USA) will be enrolled in the study. Patients will be allocated to a computational simulation arm (experimental) or standard treatment arm (control) using a 1:1 randomisation. For patients randomised to the computational simulation arm, preprocedural planning will be based on the analysis of cardiac computed tomography (CCT)-based patient-specific computational simulations (FEops HEARTguide, Ghent, Belgium) in order to predict optimal device size and position. For patients in the control arm, preprocedural planning will be based on local practice including CCT analysis. The LAA closure procedure and postprocedural antithrombotic therapy will follow local practice in both arms. The primary endpoint of the study is incomplete LAA closure and device-related thrombus as assessed at 3 months postprocedural CCT. Secondary endpoints encompass procedural efficiency (number of devices used, number of repositioning, procedural time, radiation exposure, contrast dye), procedure-related complications within 7 days postprocedure and a composite of all-cause death and thromboembolic events at 12 months.ConclusionThe objective of the PREDICT-LAA study is to test the hypothesis that a preprocedural planning for LAA closure with the Amplatzer Amulet device based on patient-specific computational simulations can result in a more efficient procedure, optimised procedural outcomes and better clinical outcomes as compared with a standard preprocedural planning.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04180605).

scholarly journals Sensitivity Analysis of In Silico Fluid Simulations to Predict Thrombus Formation after Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (18) ◽  
pp. 2304
Author(s):  
Jordi Mill ◽  
Victor Agudelo ◽  
Andy L. Olivares ◽  
Maria Isabel Pons ◽  
Etelvino Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is nowadays the most common human arrhythmia and it is considered a marker of an increased risk of embolic stroke. It is known that 99% of AF-related thrombi are generated in the left atrial appendage (LAA), an anatomical structure located within the left atrium (LA). Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become a good alternative for nonvalvular AF patients with contraindications to anticoagulants. However, there is a non-negligible number of device-related thrombus (DRT) events, created next to the device surface. In silico fluid simulations can be a powerful tool to better understand the relation between LA anatomy, haemodynamics, and the process of thrombus formation. Despite the increasing literature in LA fluid modelling, a consensus has not been reached yet in the community on the optimal modelling choices and boundary conditions for generating realistic simulations. In this line, we have performed a sensitivity analysis of several boundary conditions scenarios, varying inlet/outlet and LA wall movement configurations, using patient-specific imaging data of six LAAO patients (three of them with DRT at follow-up). Mesh and cardiac cycle convergence were also analysed. The boundary conditions scenario that better predicted DRT cases had echocardiography-based velocities at the mitral valve outlet, a generic pressure wave from an AF patient at the pulmonary vein inlets, and a dynamic mesh approach for LA wall deformation, emphasizing the need for patient-specific data for realistic simulations. The obtained promising results need to be further validated with larger cohorts, ideally with ground truth data, but they already offer unique insights on thrombogenic risk in the left atria.

scholarly journals Preclinical assessment of a modified Occlutech left atrial appendage closure device in a porcine model

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Reinthaler ◽  
Johannes Grosshauser ◽  
Tanja Schmidt ◽  
Juliane Unger ◽  
Ross Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Closure Device ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltration ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Laa Closure

AbstractLeft atrial appendage (LAA) closure is being developed as an alternative for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation that cannot tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation. To assess the feasibility, safety, and performance of a novel modified Occlutech LAA closure device in a preclinical porcine model, the modified Occlutech modified Occlutech Plus LAA closure device was implanted in 12 female pigs (25–39 kg body weight) under fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Procedural and technical success, as well as safety of LAA closure, were evaluated peri-procedurally and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Moreover, after 4, 8 and, 12 weeks animals were sacrificed for pathological analysis (e.g., thrombus formation, device ingrowth, endothelialization, and inflammation). All LAA closure devices were successfully implanted. On follow-up, no serious adverse events such as device-associated thrombus or translocalization/embolization were observed. A clinically non-significant pericarditis was observed in 4 animals at the time of autopsy. Endothelialization of the device was visible after 4 weeks, advanced after 8 weeks and completed after 12 weeks. Immunohistochemistry showed low amounts of inflammatory infiltration on the edges of the device. The results of this study indicate that implantation of a modified Occlutech LAA closure device is feasible with rapid endothelialization and low inflammatory infiltration in a porcine model. Human data are needed to further characterize safety and efficacy.

scholarly journals Large extracellular vesicles in the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation—the missing link?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Zietzer ◽  
Baravan Al-Kassou ◽  
Paul Jamme ◽  
Verena Rolfes ◽  
Eva Steffen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Peripheral Embolization

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmic disease in humans, which leads to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage and stroke through peripheral embolization. Depending on their origin, large extracellular vesicles (lEVs) can exert pro-coagulant functions. In the present study, we investigated how different types of AF influence the levels of large EV subtypes in three distinct atrial localizations. Blood samples were collected from the right and left atrium and the left atrial appendage of 58 patients. 49% of the patients had permanent AF, 34% had non-permanent AF, and 17% had no history of AF. Flow cytometric analysis of the origin of the lEVs showed that the proportion of platelet-derived lEVs in the left atrial appendage was significantly higher in permanent AF patients compared to non-permanent AF. When we grouped patients according to their current heart rhythm, we also detected significantly higher levels of platelet-derived lEVs in the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with atrial fibrillation. In vitro studies revealed, that platelet activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to higher levels of miR-222-3p and miR-223-3p in platelet-derived lEVs. Treatment with lEVs from LPS- or thrombin-activated platelets reduces the migration of endothelial cells in vitro. These results suggest that permanent atrial fibrillation is associated with increased levels of platelet-derived lEVs in the LAA, which are potentially involved in LAA thrombus formation.

scholarly journals Safety and effects of volume loading during transesophageal echocardiography in the pre-procedural work-up for left atrial appendage closure

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afonso B. Freitas-Ferraz ◽  
Mathieu Bernier ◽  
Kim O’Connor ◽  
Jonathan Beaudoin ◽  
Jean Champagne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Volume Loading ◽  
Fluid Bolus ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Device Size ◽  
Laa Closure

Abstract Background In patients undergoing left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, an accurate sizing of the LAA is key to optimize device sizing, procedural success and reduce complications. Previous studies have shown that intraprocedural volume loading increases LAA dimensions and improves device sizing. However, the safety and effects on LAA and device sizing of administering a fluid bolus during pre-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and impact on LAA dimensions and device sizing of an intravenous (IV) fluid bolus administered during TEE in the setting of the pre-procedural work-up for LAA closure. Methods The study included a total of 72 patients who underwent TEE to assess suitability for LAAC and received a 500 ml IV bolus of normal saline. The LAA landing zone (LZ) and depth were measured by TEE before and after volume loading, and these measurements were used to predict the device size implanted during a subsequent percutaneous LAAC procedure. Results There were no complications associated with volume loading. The baseline mean LZ was 19.6 ± 3.6 mm at 90o, and 20.2 ± 4.1 mm at 135o. Following fluid bolus, the maximum diameter increased 1.5 ± 1.0 mm at 90o (p<0.001), and 1.3 ± 1.0 mm at 135o (p<0.001). The baseline mean depth of the LAA was 26.5 ± 5.5 mm at 90o, and 23.9 ± 5.8 mm at 135o. After fluid bolus, the mean depth increased by 1.5 ± 1.8 mm (p<0.001) and 1.6 ± 2.0 (p<0.001), at 90o and 135o, respectively. Sizing based on post-bolus measurements of the LZ significantly improved the agreement with the final device size selection during the procedure in 71.0% of cases (vs. 42.0% with pre-bolus measurements). Conclusions Volume loading during ambulatory TEE as part of the pre-procedural work-up of LAAC is safe and significantly increases LAA dimensions. This strategy may become the new standard, particularly in centers performing LAAC with no TEE guidance, as it improves LAA sizing and more accurately predicts the final device size.

scholarly journals Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. CMC.S14043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Romero ◽  
Irving E. Perez ◽  
Andrew Krumerman ◽  
Mario J. Garcia ◽  
Richard J. Lucariello
Keyword(s):  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Thromboembolic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Closure ◽  
Alternative Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Safety Studies

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk for thromboembolic stroke five-fold. The left atrial appendage (LAA) has been shown to be the main source of thrombus formation in the majority of strokes associated with AF. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin and novel anticoagulants remains the standard of care; however, it has several limitations, including bleeding and poor compliance. Occlusion of the LAA has been shown to be an alternative therapeutic approach to drug therapy. The purpose of this article is to review the different techniques and devices that have emerged for the purpose of occluding this structure, with a particular emphasis on the efficacy and safety studies published to date in the medical literature.

scholarly journals Does left atrial appendage occlusion influence left atrial hemodynamics? Pilot results of invasive intra-cardiac measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Heuts ◽  
John Heijmans ◽  
Mark La Meir ◽  
Bart Maesen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Systemic Arterial Pressure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Hemodynamic Effect ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion ◽  
Laa Closure

Introduction Although left atrial appendage (LAA) obliteration is the cornerstone of stroke prevention in surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), little is known about its direct impact on hemodynamics. In the current pilot study, we evaluated the hemodynamic effect of LAA closure by clipping in patients undergoing hybrid AF ablation. Methods Seven patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF were included. Hemodynamic and intracardiac pressure measurements such as systemic, pulmonary artery (PA), central venous and LA pressure, cardiac output and indexed left ventricular stroke volume (LVSVi) were measured directly before (T0) and after (T1), and 10 minutes after (T2) LAA closure. Results Of the 7 patients (median 66 yrs), 5 were in AF at the time of incision. There were no differences between T0 and T1, T1 and T2 and T0 and T2 for LA pressure, mean PA pressure, LVSVi and other hemodynamic parameters such as central venous oxygenation and pressure, or systemic arterial pressure. Conclusion In this pilot study, the direct hemodynamic effect of LAA closure is evaluated for the first time. Clipping of the LAA is safe and does not directly affect hemodynamic and intracardiac pressures.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document