Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery： A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical left atrial appendage occlusion(s-LAAO) during concomitant cardiac surgery.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search through May 31 st 2018 for all eligible studies comparing s-LAAO vs no occlusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Clinical outcomes during follow-up included: embolic events, stroke, all-cause mortality, atrial fibrillation(AF), reoperation for bleeding and postoperative complications. We further stratified the analysis based on propensity matched studies and AF predominance.RESULTS Twelve studies(n = 40107) met the inclusion criteria.s-LAAO was associated with lower risk of embolic events(OR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.53-0.76; P < 0.001) and stroke(OR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.57-0.82; P < 0.0001).Stratified analysis demonstrated this association was more prominent in the AF predominant strata. There was no significant difference in the incidence risk of allcause mortality, AF, and reoperation for bleeding and postoperative complications.CONCLUSION Concomitant s-LAAO during cardiac surgery was associated with lower risk of follow-up thromboembolic events and stroke, especially in those with AF without significant increase in adverse events. Further randomized trials to evaluate long-term benefits of s-LAAO are warranted.

Left atrial appendage occlusion in a mirror-image dextrocardia:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND In mirror-image dextrocardia,the anterior-posterior position of the cardiac chambers and great vessels is maintained,but the left-right orientation of the abdominal organs is reversed.The abnormal anatomy of the heart poses surgical challenges and problems in dealing with surgical risk and monitoring complications.There are few reports on closure of the left atrial appendage(LAA)in dextrocardia and no reports on the application of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)following LAA occlusion(LAAO)procedures.CASE SUMMARY The objective for this case was to ensure perioperative safety and accelerate postoperative recovery from LAAO in a patient with mirror-image dextrocardia.ERAS was guided by the theory and practice of nursing care.Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in a 77-year-old male patient,in whom LAAO was performed.The 2019 guidelines for perioperative care after cardiac surgery recommend that the clinical nursing procedures for patients with LAAO should be optimized to reduce the incidence of perioperative complications and ensure patient safety.Music therapy can be used throughout perioperative treatment and nursing to improve the anxiety symptoms of patients.CONCLUSION The procedure was uneventful and proceeded without complications.Anxiety symptoms were improved.

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage occlusion prior to atrial septal defect closure: A case report

BACKGROUND In patients who suffer from both atrial fibrillation(AF)and atrial septal defect(ASD),cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation(PVI),sequential left atrial appendage(LAA)occlusion and ASD closure could be a strategy for effective prevention of stroke and right heart failure.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old man was admitted to our institution due to recurrent episodes of palpitations and shortness of breath for 2 years,which had been worsening over the last 48 h.He had a history of AF,ASD,coronary heart disease with stent implantation and diabetes.Physical and laboratory examinations showed no abnormalities.The score of CHA2DS2VASc was 3,and HAS-BLED was 1.Echocardiography revealed a 25-mm secundum ASD.Pulmonary vein(PV)and LAA anatomy were assessed by cardiac computed tomography.PV mapping with 10-pole Lasso catheter was performed following ablation of all four PVs with complete PVI.Following the cryoballoon PVI,the patient underwent LAA occlusion under transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring.Lastly,a 34-mm JIYI ASD occlude device was implanted.A follow-up transesophageal echocardiography at 3 mo showed proper position of both devices and neither thrombi nor leakage was found.CONCLUSION Sequential cryoballoon PVI and LAA occlusion prior to ASD closure can be performed safely in AF patients with ASD.

Percutaneous interventions in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation： leftatrial ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion

Heart rhythm disturbances become of special importancewhen patients reach a senior age. Atrial fibrillation （AF） isthe most prevalent arrhythmia among the old age groups,and its impact on morbidity and mortality becomes of para-mount significance. In this population, AF is responsible forsignificant amount of thromboembolic cerebrovascularevents, especially for disabling and fatal strokes, Follow-ing announcement of the special issue of the Journal of Geri-atric Cardiology devoted to heart rhythm disorders in theelderly, a number of submissions have been received withAF as the major topic of authors＇ researches.

Left atrial appendage occlusion: A better alternative to anticoagulation?

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with a significantly increased risk of embolic stroke due to blood clot forming predominantly in the left atrial appendage(LAA). Preventive measures to avoid embolic events are permanent administration of anticoagulants or surgical closure of the LAA. Various clinical trials provide evidence about safety, effectiveness and therapeutic success of LAA occlusion using various cardiac occluder devices. The use of such implants for interventional closure of the LAA is likely to become a valuable alternative for stroke prevention, especially in patients with contraindication for oral anticoagulation as safety, clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness of LAA occlusion has recently been demonstrated.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device: Evaluation of Surgical Implant Success and <i>in Vivo</i>Corrosion Performance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo corrosion resistance of the implanted titanium, nitinol annular occlusion device to a control device, i.e. an implantable device containing nitinol, approved by the FDA and currently on the market. Methods: The annular occlusion device is a self-closing, implantable clip. Three canines underwent placement of devices on the left and right atrial appendages. Two Vnus U-clips were secured to either atrium. On post-operative day 95, animals underwent en-bloc cardiac resection via the previous left thoracotomy incision. The annular occlusion device and U-clips were dissected free from the atria. The polyester fabric and tissue ingrowth were removed from the devices and were sent for corrosion analysis. Results: Gross examination of resected hearts of two canines revealed no abnormalities. The compressed endocardial surfaces were completely fused and the appendages fully necrosed. All devices were located and harvested. The annular occlusion device clips and Medtronic Vnus U-clips were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Both low and high magnification examination of the nitinol springs and the site of insertion of the nitinol springs into the titanium tubes in the annular occlusion device showed no evidence of localized corrosion. In no case was any evidence of general or localized corrosion found in the form of metallic oxidation. Conclusion: The annular occlusion device provides safe and reliable exclusion of the left atrial ap-pendage without evidence of general or localized corrosion over the 95-day exposure period in canines and may therefore provide a reasonable therapeutic option for stroke risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Percutaneous devices for left atrial appendage occlusion: A contemporary review

Patient with atrial fibrillation(AF) are at risk of developing stroke with the left atrial appendage(LAA) being the most common site for thrombus formation. If left untreated, AF is associated with 4 to 5 folds increase in the risk of ischemic stroke in all age groups. About 5% to 15% of AF patients have atrial thrombi on transesophageal echocardiography, and 91% of those thrombi are located in the LAA in patient with nonrheumatic AF. Although oral anticoagulants are the gold-standard treatment for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular AF,some patients are at high risk of bleeding and deemed not candidates for anticoagulation. Therefore, LAA occlusion(LAAO) has emerged as alternative approach for stroke prevention in those patients. Surgical LAAO is associated with high rate of unsuccessful closure and recommended only in patients with AF and undergoing cardiac surgery. Percutaneous LAAO uses transvenous access with trans-septal puncture and was first tested using the PLAATO device.Watchman is the most common and only Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved device for LAAO. LAAO using Watchman device is non-inferior to warfarin therapy in preventing ischemic stroke/systemic thromboembolism.However, it is associated with lower rates of hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding and death. Amplatzer is another successful LAAO device that has CE mark and is waiting for FDA approval. Optimal antithrombotic therapy post LAAO is still under debate and highly patient-specific. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the current literature to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different LAAO devices.

Left atrial appendage occluder detachment treated with transthoracic ultrasound combined with digital subtraction angiography guided catcher:A case report

BACKGROUND There are very few cases of cardiac occluder detachment,and it is rare to completely remove the occluder using interventional methods without undergoing thoracotomy surgery after detachment.This case innovatively used ultrasound guidance combined with digital subtraction angiography(DSA)to completely remove the occluder,accumulating some experience.CASE SUMMARY The patient underwent left atrial appendage occlusion surgery in our hospital due to atrial fibrillation.After the surgery,the occluder fell off and became free in the left ventricle,which is very dangerous.We innovatively used ultrasound guidance,combined with DSA,and interventional surgery to successfully capture the free occluder using a catcher,completely remove it,and then re implant a new left atrial appendage occluder.After the surgery,the patient recovered very well.CONCLUSION The size selection of the occluder is slightly conservative,and the shape of the left atrial appendage opening is irregular.

Relationship of inflammatory indices with left atrial appendage thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast in patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND Inflammatory indices derived from complete blood tests have been reported to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).The data about the relationship between inflammatory indices and left atrial appendage thrombus(LAAT)or dense spontaneous echo contrast(SEC)are limited.AIM To explore the value of inflammatory indices for predicting the presence of LAAT or dense SEC in nonvalvular AF patients.METHODS A total of 406 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were included and divided into two groups based on the presence(study group)or absence(control group)of LAAT or dense SEC.Inflammatory indices,including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet–tolymphocyte ratio(PLR),and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR),were calculated from complete blood analysis.The associations of inflammatory indices RESULTS LAAT and dense SEC were detected in 11(2.7%)and 42(10.3%)patients,respectively.The PLR only showed an association with LAAT/dense SEC in the univariate model.Elevated NLR(odds ratio[OR]=1.48,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.11-1.98,P=0.007)and reduced LMR(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.83,P=0.003)were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of LAAT/dense SEC.The areas under the NLR and LMR curves for predicting LAAT/dense SEC were 0.73(95%CI:0.66-0.80,P<0.001)and 0.73(95%CI:0.65-0.81,P<0.001),respectively,while the cutoff values were 2.8(sensitivity:69.8%;specificity:64.0%)and 2.4(sensitivity:71.7%;specificity:60.6%),respectively.CONCLUSION Increased NLR and decreased LMR may predict LAAT/dense SEC in patients with nonvalvular AF.

Cardiac embolism after implantable cardiac defibrillator shock in non-anticoagulated atrial fibrillation:The role of left atrial appendage occlusion

Cardioembolic events are one of the most feared complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) and a formal contraindication to oral anticoagulation(OAC).The present case report describes a case of massive peripheral embolism after an implantable cardiac defibrillator(ICD) shock in a patient with NVAF and a formal contraindication to OAC due to previous intracranial hemorrhage.In order to reduce the risk of future cardioembolic events,the patient underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage(LAA) occlusion.A 25 mm AmplatzerTM Amulet was implanted and the patient was discharged the following day without complications.The potential risk of thrombus dislodgement after an electrical shock in patients with NVAF and no anticoagulation constitutes a particular scenario that might be associated with an additional cardioembolicrisk.Although LAA occlusion is a relatively new technique,its usage is rapidly expanding worldwide and constitutes a very valid alternative for patients with NVAF and a formal contraindication to OAC.

Progress in the study and treatment of peri-device leak after left atrial appendage closure

For patients with atrial fibrillation with an increased risk of stroke and contraindications to long-term anticoagulation,percutaneous left atrial appendage closure(LAAC)has become an important alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation.Incomplete closure of the LAAC during the procedure leads to faster blood flow in the interstitial space around the device,resulting in peri-device leak(PDL),which is not uncommon.Studies are still inconclusive in determining the incidence,long-term safety,and management of PDL.Therefore,this article reviewed the progress made in the research and treatment of PDL after LAAC.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure:Technical aspects and prevention of periprocedural complications with the watchman device

Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage has been developed as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, and as a primary therapy for patients with contraindications to chronic oral anticoagulation. The promise of this new intervention compared with warfarin has been supported by several, small studies and two pivotal randomized trial with the Watchman Device. The results regarding risk reduction for stroke have been favourable although acute complications were not infrequent. Procedural complications, which are mainly related to transseptal puncture and device implantation, include air embolism, pericardial effusions/tamponade and device embolization. Knowledge of nature, management and prevention of complications should minimize the risk of complications and allow transcatheter left atrial appendage closure to emerge as a therapeutic option for patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for cardioembolic stroke.

Delayed cardiac tamponade after simultaneous transcatheter atrial septal defect closure and left atrial appendage closure device implantation: a particular case report

Percutaneous left atrial appendage(LAA)occlusion evolved as an alternative treatment to the patients who are contraindicated or cannot tolerate oral anticoagulants with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(AF)at risk of stroke or systemic embolism.[1]Abnormal hemodynamic changes in elder atrial septal defect(ASD)patients cause remodeling of the left atrium,which eventually leads to right heart failure.[2]As the ASDs elderly are associated with a higher incidence of AF,simultaneous transcatheter ASD and LAA closure has become a new effective therapeutic strategy.However,only a limited number of articles involving cardiac tamponade complications have been published in the literature.What’s more,previous studies involving early hemodynamically irrelevant pericardial effusion after the procedure attribute to multiple repositioning attempts of LAA occluder or delivery sheath injured the atrial wall.

Simultaneous Transcatheter Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage and Congenital Interatrial Communication Closure

Background:Left atrial appendage closure(LAAC)with simultaneous interventional occlusion therapy for congenital interatrial communication has become a new focus of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.Little is known about the results of mid-and long-term results.Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the midand long-term safety and effectiveness of simultaneous transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage(LAA)and congenital interatrial communication closure in atrial fibrillation(AF)patients.Methods:From Jan 2016 to June 2017,27 patients with AF were treated with simultaneous transcatheter closure of the LAA and atrial septal defect(ASD,n=22),patent foramen ovale(PFO,n=5).Results:The perioperative closure success rate was 96.3%,except for cardiac tamponade occurred in one ASD patient.During the median 37.6-month follow-up period,no cases of cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular embolism,bleeding,infective endocarditis or thrombosis along the occluders were observed.Of the 21 patients with NYHA Class III,nineteen had significant improvements to NYHA Classes I or II,and 81.5%of patients were free from major or minor adverse events during midand long-term follow-up.Conclusions:Simultaneous closure of the LAA and congenital interatrial communication closure is a viable option for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke or systemic embolism,and it is effective and yields excellent mid-and long-term results.

Evaluation of left atrial remodelling following percutaneous left atrial appendage closure

Atrial fibrillation prevalence is increasing with age, reaching up to 5% of patients older than 65 years, and is associated with 20%-30% of stroke episodes in that population.

Left atrial appendage in acute coronary syndromes: small but not insignificant

In this issue of Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Dr.Piotrowski and colleagues explored the function of the left atrial appendage (LAA)-a small, blind-ended structure of the heart which has been often ignored by cardiologists.

Device-related thrombosis on atrial septal defect occluder after simultaneous closure of left atrial appendage and atrial septal defect: a case report

An atrial septal defect (ASD) may cause right heart dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF), and atrial septal defect occlusion (ASDO) is the first choice for treating secundum defects when the morphology permits. ASD and AF frequently coexist, and the risk of AF and stroke persists after ASDO.[1] In recent years, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has been recognized as an effective treatment for stroke prevention in nonvalvular AF patients with a high risk of stroke, systemic embolism and bleeding who are unwilling to take oral anticoagulants or cannot tolerate them.

Left atrial appendage occluder implantation for stroke prevention in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation： acute and long-term results

Atrial fibrillation （AF） is the most common cardiac ar-rhythmia in clinical practice with an increasing incidenceand prevalence. With ageing, the risk of thromboembolicand hemorrhagic events increases dramatically. As it hasbeen reported previously, 3-year survival rate among pa-tients with AF over 75 years of age after stroke is less than50%, and almost 90% of those patients will remain dis-abled.

The effect of transient balloon occlusion of the mitral valve on left atrial appendage blood flow velocity and spontaneous echo contrast: a comparison in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation patients

To investigate the relationship between spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and left atrial appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV) in patients with atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm Methods Thirty five patients (21 in sinus rhythm and 14 in atrial fibrillation ) with rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent PBMV with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography monitoring We measured LAA blood flow velocities and observed the left atrium for various grades of SEC (from 0=none to 4=severe), before and after each balloon inflation Results Left atrial appendage maximal emptying velocity (LAA MEV) was reduced from 35±14?cm/s to 6±2?cm/s at peak balloon inflation and increased to 40±16?cm/s after balloon deflation Comparison of the values before balloon inflation and after balloon deflation showed that LAA velocities were significantly lower (P<0 001) During balloon inflation, both maximal emptying velocity (MEV) and maximal filling velocity (MFV) were significantly decreased, compared to those before inflation and after balloon deflation (P<0 01) And both MEV and MFV were significantly higher after balloon deflation relative to those before balloon inflation Patients with atrial fibrillation had significantly lower MEV and MFV before and during balloon inflation and after balloon deflation than patients with sinus rhythm At peak balloon inflation, new or increased SEC grades were observed during 54 of 61 (88%) inflations and unchanged during 7 (12%) inflations SEC grades were reduced after 55 balloon deflations (90%), completely disappeared after 18 deflations (30%) and remained unchanged after 6 deflations (10%) At peak balloon inflation,left atrium spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) grade 4 was observed during 14 of 27 (93%) inflations in the atrial fibrillation patients, significantly higher than in patients with sinus rhythm (8 of 34, 24%; P <0 05) LASEC completely disappeared after 16 of 34 deflations (47%) in the patients with sinus rhythm, significantly higher than in the atrial fibrillation patients (2 of 27 deflations; P <0 01) The mean time to achieve maximal SEC grade (2 5±1 2?s) correlated with the mean time to trough LAA velocities (2 3±1 1?s ) after balloon inflation Both the time to lowest LAA velocity and the time to highest LASEC were significantly longer in the patients with sinus rhythm than in the atrial fibrillation patients (2 6±1 1?s vs 1 7±1 0?s, P<0 05 and 2 8±1 4?s vs 1 9±1 3?s, P<0 05, respectively) Upon deflation, the mean time to lowest SEC grade (2 9±1 8?s) correlated with the mean time to achieve maximal LAA velocities (2 7±1 6?s) Both intervals are significantly shorter in the patients with sinus rhythm than in the atrial fibrillation patients (2 0±1 6?s vs 3 5±1 5?s, P<0 01 and 2 2±1 7?s vs 3 6± 1 6?s, P<0 05) Conclusion Reducing the blood flow velocity in the human left atrium by balloon occlusion of the mitral valve may enhance SEC, whereas restoring blood flow after balloon deflation would cause enhanced echogenic blood to disappear or decrease in both groups of patients Patients with atrial fibrillation demonstrate more severe blood stagnation of the left atrial body and appendage during transient balloon inflation at mitral valve orifice and slower recovery from the stagnation, decreasing to a lesser extent after balloon deflation, when compared to patients with sinus rhythm

Assessment of left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography in patients two weeks after acute coronary syndromes

Background For many years in ischemic heart disease, ventricles rather than atria received attention so not much is known about left atrial function in left ventricular ischemia. Objective Our study aimed to evaluate left atrial appendage (LAA) function by means of biplane transesophageal echocardiography in patients ten days after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Methods The study was performed on 16 adult patients (65.9±9.9 years old) in whom transesophageal echocardiography was done 10 days after ACS. The following left atrial appendage (LAA) planimetric parameters were analyzed: LAA transversal dimension, LAA longitudinal dimension,LAA maximal area, and LAA minimal area. LAA ejection fraction was calculated and analyzed. The following LAA Doppler parameters were analyzed: the peak LAA emptying and the peak LAA filling velocities. The control group consisted of 14 patients (43±14.6 years old) without cardiovascular diseases. Results Both LAA longitudinal dimension and LAA transversal dimension were significantly higher in patients with ACS than in control patients. The same was observed for LAA maximal area. Also LAA ejection fraction was higher in patients with ACS . LAA minimal area did not differ in the patients in either group. LAA peak emptying flow (LAAE) and LAA peak filling flow (LAAF) were significantly higher in patients of the study group than of the control group. Conclusion Our study shows that two weeks after acute coronary syndrome LAA as a reservoir as well as a pump works at a higher level than it does in the control group. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2005; 2(4):198-201)