ABSTRACT
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia associated with significant mortality and morbidity secondary to thrombo-embolism. To prevent this thrombo-embolism oral anticoagulation therapy is the recommended treatment. In patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation therapy, percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion device is indicated. TEE is essential to guide in all the stages of LAA device deployment. Right from pre-procedure screening, to guiding during deployment, to rule out any complications and post-procedure surveillance and monitoring long term outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in left atrial appendage (LAA) closer with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP).Methods Consecutive 32 atrial fibrillation patients (CHADS2≥1) with high risk bleeding underwent LAA occlusion with ACP LAA occlusion device under the guidance of TEE.Measurements of LAA anchoring area diameter (AAD) and LAA anatomical orifice diameter (AOD) including maximum,minimum values,and LAA depth on 2 dimentional TEE (2D TEE) were conducted before closer device implantation.The outcomes of LAA occlusion were analyzed.Results Among 32 patients,27 cases achieved successful LAA occlusion,including 2 cases with peripheral leakage ≤5 mm,and 5 cases failed occlusion.Among 5 failed closed patients,3 cases with LAA AAD≥ 30 mm,1 case with LAA of short depth,and 1 case with anatomical variation of LAA of low position that access sheath could not be positioned in the LAA.LAA AAD maximum,minimum and LAA depth were (25.9±4.9)mm,(20.0±3.8)mm,(31.0±5.6)mm,respectively,and LAA AOD maximum,minimum diameters were (26.2±6.2)mm,(19.4±4.3)mm,respectively.Among 10 cases with LAA AAD≥30 mm,7 cases achieved successful LAA occlusion,but 3 cases failed.The implanted device diameter was (26.4±3.8)mm,and device compression rate was (7.6±5.5)%.The coefficient of correlation between device diameter and large LAA AAD and AOD is 0.770 and 0.717,respectively.There was no complication but 1 case with pericardial effusion.Conclusions Two dimentional TEE measurements of LAA have clinical guiding significance in the selection of proper size of ACP LAA occluder.The AAD of 2D TEE has the good correlation with ACP occluder′s size,the AADs are important factors which affect the success of LAA occlusion.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate intra-procedural imaging with transesophageal echocardiography and angiography during left atrial appendage occlusion using the Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug with regard to sizing and final device shape. Methods: Left atrial appendage ostium dimensions and diameter at a depth of 10 mm from the ostium were measured by transesophageal echocardiography (0-180°) and angiography (RAO 30° - Cranial 20°) in consecutive patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion using the ACP with an oversizing strategy of 10-20% relative to the baseline measurements. After delivery, ACP dimensions were measured and device shape was assessed. Results: Twenty-seven consecutive patients underwent successful uncomplicated left atrial appendage closure with Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug. We found a significant difference between the largest and smallest left atrial appendage diameter measured with transesophageal echocardiography (22.3 ± 4.2 vs. 18.1 ± 4.1 mm, p <0.001). By the end of the procedure (by angiography), ACP had an optimal shape in 17 patients (63%), a strawberry-like shape in 7 patients (26%), and a square-like shape in 3 patients (11%). ACP was oversized on average by 1.5±2.7 and 3.3±2.3mm compared to transesophageal echocardiography and angiography, respectively. The final shape of the device was not significantly associated with the degree of oversizing. Conclusions: We found a considerable variability in the assessment of the left atrial appendage, using transesophageal echocardiography and angiography. The degree of Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug expansion within the left atrial appendage and the final shape of the device were not associated with the degree of oversizing.
Objetivos: Evaluar las dimensiones de la orejuela izquierda antes del cierre percutáneo y la correlación de sus dimensiones finales y la forma del dispositivo Amplatzer™ cardiac plug con ecocardiografia transesofágica y angiografia. Métodos: Se midieron las dimensiones de la orejuela izquierda a una distancia de 10 mm a partir del ostium con ecocardiografia transesofágica (0 a 180°) y angiografia (RAO 30° Craneal 20°). Se utilizó una estrategia para sobre dimensionar el tamano del dispositivo del 10 al 20% con respecto a las mediciones iniciales. Se evaluaron las dimensiones y la forma final del dispositivo. Resultados: Se realizó el procedimiento en 27 pacientes. Se encontró una diferencia significativa entre el diámetro mayor y menor de orejuela izquierda medido por ecocardiografia transesofágica (22.3±4.2 vs 18.1 ±4.1 mm, p< 0.001). Una vez liberado el dispositivo, se encontró que en 17 pacientes (63%) adoptó una forma óptima, de "fresa" en 7 (26%) y cuadrada en 3 (11%). El tamaño del dispositivo seleccionado se sobre dimensionó en promedio 1.5 ± 2.7mm con la ecocardiografia transesofágica y 3.3 ± 2.3 mm con la angiografia. La forma final del dispositivo no se asoció de manera significativa con el grado de sobre dimensionamiento del mismo. Conclusiones: Existe variabilidad considerable en la evaluación de la orejuela izquierda entre la ecocardiografia transesofágica y la angiografia. No se encontró asociación entre el grado de expansión del dispositivo dentro de la orejuela izquierda ni de su forma final con el grado de sobre dimensionamiento del mismo.