Stand-Alone Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients at High Bleeding Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-546
Author(s):  
Marco Franciulli ◽  
Giuseppe De Martino ◽  
Mariateresa Librera ◽  
Ahmed Desoky ◽  
Antonio Mariniello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
High Bleeding Risk ◽  
Laa Closure

Objective In nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at high bleeding risk, oral anticoagulants (OAC) may be contraindicated, and percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been advocated. However, following percutaneous procedure, either OAC or dual antiplatelet treatment is required. In this study, we present our experience in treating nonvalvular AF patients at high bleeding risk with thoracoscopic LAA closure with no subsequent antithrombotic therapy. Methods From April 2019 to January 2020, 20 consecutive AF patients, mean age 75.1 years, 16 (80%) males, underwent thoracoscopic LAA closure as a stand-alone procedure, using an epicardial clip device. OAC and antiplatelet therapy were contraindicated. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.61, and the mean HAS-BLED score was 4.42. Successful LAA closure was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Primary endpoints were complete LAA closure (no residual LAA flow), operative complications, and all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints were 30-day and 6-month complications (death, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, any bleeding). Mean follow-up was 6 ± 4 months. Results Complete LAA closure was achieved in all patients. No operative clip-related complications or deaths occurred. At follow-up, freedom from postoperative complications was 95% and from any cerebrovascular events was 100%. Overall survival rate was 100%. Conclusions In nonvalvular AF patients at high bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score >3), thoracoscopic LAA closure appears to be a valid alternative to percutaneous techniques not requiring dual antiplatelet or OAC treatment. Apparently, external LAA clipping minimizes the risk of thromboembolic events as compared with percutaneous procedures.

Kidney function stratified outcomes of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Brockmeyer ◽  
Georg Wolff ◽  
Torben Krieger ◽  
Yingfeng Lin ◽  
Athanasios Karathanos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion ◽  
High Bleeding Risk

Efficiency of the Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Dissolution in Patients with Persistent Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation with Warfarin or Direct Oral Anticoagulants Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 724-728
Author(s):  
E. S. Mazur ◽  
V. V. Mazur ◽  
N. D. Bazhenov ◽  
Yu. A. Orlov
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination

Aim. Compare the incidence of the left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC).Materials and methods. 68 patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were included in a retrospective study (age was 59.7±9.8 years, 60.3% men), in whom at least one repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed after detecting a thrombus. After detecting a thrombus in the LAA, 37 (54.4%) patients started or continued taking warfarin in doses that ensure the INR maintenance at the level of 2-3, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking dabigatran at a dose of 150 mg 2 times/day, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking rivaroxaban 20 mg 1 time/day and 3 (4.4%) started or continued taking apixaban 5 mg 2 times/day. Repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed on average 33.3±14.2 days after the first one.Results. Dissolution of a previously identified thrombus was found in 26 (83.9%) of 31 patients receiving DOAC and in 19 (51.4%) of 37 patients receiving warfarin (p=0.011). The logistic regression analysis showed that the chances of a thrombus dissolution in LAA while taking DOAC are 14.8 times (95% confidence interval [CI] was 2.469-88.72) higher than while taking warfarin. The size and the rate at which blood is expelled from the LAA also have an independent influence on the chances of thrombus dissolution. An increase in the size of a thrombus by 1 mm reduces the chances of a thrombus dissolution by 1.136 (95% CI was 1.040-1.244) times, and an increase in the rate of blood expulsion from the LAA by 1 cm/sec increases these chances by 1.105 (95% CI was 1.003-1.219) times.Conclusion. In the present study, the incidence of the LAA thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation while receiving DOAC was higher than while receiving warfarin.

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 Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with coronary heart disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Zhang ◽  
Xiaomin Jiang ◽  
Dujiang Xie ◽  
Jie Luo ◽  
Ling Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
End Point ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the 12-month outcomes of the percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with coronary heart disease (CAD). Materials and Methods 51 NVAF patients were consecutively accepted LAAO between June 2015 and July 2017. Patients were devided in two groups: 15 with CAD and 36 without CAD. All patients were followed up at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after discharge with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination repeated at the same time. Results Among these 51 patients (average age 64.4±10.0, 33.3% female), the procedural success rate was 98% (50/51). During 12-month follow-up, there were no hemorrhagic stroke or major bleeding. The risk of thromboembolism based on CHA2DS2-VASc score (3.1±1.6 vs. 5.2±1.1, P<0.001) and the risk of hemorrhage based on HAS-BLED score (2.2±1.2 vs. 3.1±1.0, P=0.009) in CAD group were significantly higher. The incidence of end-point events had no statistical difference between CAD and non-CAD. Compared with CAD patients who accepted long-term antithrombotic medication, there was no obvious difference in stroke rate and mortality in CAD accepted LAAO group, whereas a further reduction of hemorrhage (n=5/20% vs. n=0, P=0.039) was shown. A significant correlation (P<0.001, r=0.580) was detected between moderate or severe left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) and the composite end point events. Conclusion There are similar safety and effectiveness for LAAO procedure in NVAF patients with CAD and without CAD under new oral anticoagulants applied post-implantation anticoagulation strategy. Meanwhile, LASEC is a predictive factor of LAAO in NVAF patients combined CAD.

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