Left atrial appendage occlusion with Watchman device after incomplete surgical ligation. Issue 11 (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manongi, Ngoda; Volodarskiy, Alexander; Goldbarg, Seth
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 15:Issue 11(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Arrhythmias -- Pacing and electrophysiology; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251905
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is the most common cause of cardioembolic stroke. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the major source of cardiac emboli in patients with NVAF. Anticoagulation (AC) is the standard of care for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), but many patients are intolerant of AC. Surgical exclusion of the LAA may result in incomplete closure and is associated with an increased risk of embolism. We report a case of a woman in her 50s with a history of persistent AF, mitral valve prolapse s/p repair with surgical LAA exclusion, and multifocal haemorrhagic stroke presented for elective LAA closure who underwent a Watchman placement successfully. This case demonstrates that a percutaneous approach for occlusion of the LAA when surgical exclusion was incomplete may be feasible with appropriate planning. Clinical outcome data for this patient group are needed.