Application of echocardiography in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the value and methods of echocardiographic application in percutaneous left atrial appendage(LAA) closure for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.Methods 6 male patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were enrolled for percutaneous LAA closure,the mean age was (68.7 ± 5.6) years old,the mean CHADS2 (congestive heart failure,hypertension,age≥75 years,diabetes mellitus,and prior stroke or transient ischemic attacks) score was 3.2 ± 1.0.Rheumatic valvular diseases were excluded by transthoracic eehocardiography(TTE) before closure procedure.Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) was performed to guide the punctures of the atrial septum and then monitored the operation all through the closure procedure.Diameter of LAA orifice was measure by TEE to help choosing the closure device.Immediate results of closure and complications were inspected by TEE simultaneously.24 hours,7 days,3 months,6 months and 1 year follow-up were performed using TTE.Results All the 6 patients underwent LAA closure successfully.3 LAmbre(Lifetech Scientific,Shenzhen) devices and 3 Watchman(Boston Scientific,Natick,Massachusetts) devices were implanted respectively in the 6 patients.Mean diameter of the LAA orifice was (22.4 ± 3.3)mm,and mean size of the closure devices was (28.0 ± 2.9) mm.2 mm in width residual flow at the inferior edge of closure device existed in 1 ease.No complication was observed.Post-procedure 24 hours and 7 days post-procedure followup showed optimal results in all cases.Conclusions Implantation of both LAA closure devices can be performed with high success rates in patients with nonvalvula ratrial fibrillation,with high risk for stroke,and who either had contraindication or were not willing to accept oral antieoagulation.Echocardiography plays a core role all through the closure procedure and can make it safer and more efficient.