Early Dislodgment and Migration of a Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device

Risk factors, clinical implications, and management of peridevice leak following left atrial appendage closure: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a treatment modality for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). One of the potential complications of LAAC is a peri-device leak (PDL), which could potentially increase the risk of thromboembolism formation.

METHODS

This systematic review was done according to PRISMA guidelines. Using four databases, all primary studies through April 2022 that met selection criteria were included. Outcomes of interest were studies reporting on PDL characteristics, risk factors and management.

RESULTS

A total of 116 studies met selection criteria (97 original studies and 19 case reports/series). In the original studies (n = 30,133 patients), the weighted mean age was 72.0 ± 7.4 years (57% females) with a HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc weighted means of 2.8 ± 1.1 and 3.8 ± 1.3, respectively. The most common definition of PDL was based on size; 5 mm: major, 3-5 mm: moderate, < 1 mm minor, or trivial. Follow up time for PDL detection was 7.15 ± 9.0 months. 33% had PDL, irrespective of PDL severity/size, and only 0.9% had PDL of greater than 5 mm. The main risk factors for PDL development included lower degree of over-sizing, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, device/LAA shape mismatch, previous radiofrequency ablation, and male sex. The most common methods to screen for PDL included transesophageal echocardiogram and cardiac CT. PDL Management approaches include Amplatzer Patent Foramen Ovale occluder, Hookless ACP, Amplatzer vascular plug II, embolic coils, and detachable vascular coils; removal or replacement of the device; and left atriotomy.

CONCLUSION

Following LAAC, the emergence of a PDL is a significant complication to be aware of. Current evidence suggests possible risk factors that are worth assessing in-depth. Additional research is required to assess suitable candidates, timing, and strategies to managing patients with PDL.

Percutaneous Retrieval of Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Case Report

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices can be inadvertently released into unfavorable locations, which may allow them to migrate to a different position within the left atrial appendage or embolize from the heart into the aorta. In such instances, it can be challenging to remove the LAAC device. Here, we present two cases in which patients with atrial fibrillation experienced LAAC device exposure at an inappropriate site because of interventional operator error and device mismatch: (a) the LAAC device was dislodged into the aortic arch and retrieved percutaneously from the femoral artery route, and (b) in the left atrium, which was dislodged into the left atrium and retrieved via atrial transseptal puncture of the femoral vein.

Emergency surgical retrieval of a migrated LAmbre device through the mitral valve

Left atrial appendage occlusion has become an alternative for long-term anticoagulation for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Although the procedure is safe, life-threatening complications such as embolization of the device or cardiac tamponade might occur. We present a case of a LAmbre device that migrated 4 days after being implanted and remained trapped in the mitral valve. Secondary massive mitral regurgitation with severe stenosis and haemodynamic instability required emergency surgery. The device was successfully removed, but severe damage in the anterior leaflet and chords forced a valve replacement.

Left Atrial Appendage Mechanical Exclusion: Procedural Planning Using Cardiovascular Computed Tomographic Angiography

Left atrial appendage (LAA) mechanical exclusion is being investigated for nonpharmacologic stroke risk reduction in selected patients with atrial fibrillation. There are multiple potential approaches in various stages of development and clinical application, each of which depends on specific cardiothoracic anatomic characteristics for optimal performance. Multiple imaging modalities can be utilized for application of this technology, with transesophageal echocardiography used for intraprocedural guidance. Cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography can act as a virtual patient avatar, allowing for the assessment of cardiac structures in the context of surrounding cardiac, coronary vascular, thoracic vascular, and visceral and skeletal anatomy, aiding preprocedural decision-making, planning, and follow-up. Although transesophageal echocardiography is used for intraprocedural guidance, computed tomographic angiography may be a useful adjunct for preprocedure assessment of LAA sizing and anatomic obstacles or contraindications to deployment, aiding in the assessment of optimal approaches. Potential approaches to LAA exclusion include endovascular occlusion, epicardial ligation, primary minimally invasive intercostal thoracotomy with thoracoscopic LAA ligation or appendectomy, and minimally invasive or open closure as part of cardiothoracic surgery for other indications. The goals of these procedures are complete isolation or exclusion of the entire appendage without leaving a residual appendage stump or residual flow with avoidance of acute or chronic damage to surrounding cardiovascular structures. The cardiovascular imager plays an important role in the preprocedural and postprocedural assessment of the patient undergoing LAA exclusion.

Systematic review on left atrial appendage closure with the LAmbre device in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous closure (LAAC) of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is an efficacious preventive procedure for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and considerable bleeding risk. We sought to systematically review the available LAAC data on the novel occluder device LAmbre™.

METHODS

For this systematic review, a search of the literature was conducted by 3 independent reviewers, reporting the safety and therapeutic success of LAAC in patients being treated with a LAmbre™. Publications reporting the safety and therapeutic success of LAAC using LAmbre™ in n > 5 patients were included.

RESULTS

The literature search retrieved n = 10 publications, encompassing n = 403 NVAF patients treated with a LAmbre™ LAAC, with relevant data regarding safety and therapeutic success of the procedure. The mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score was 4.0 + 0.9, and the mean HAS-BLED score was 3.4 + 0.5. The implantation success was 99.7%, with a mean procedure time of 45.4 ± 18.7 min, and a fluoroscopy time of 9.6 ± 5.9 min, and a contrast agent volume of 96.7 ± 0.7 ml. The anticoagulation regimen was switched to DAPT post procedure in the majority of the patients (96.8%). Partial and full recapture were done in 45.5% and in 25.6%, respectively. Major complications were reported in 2.9%, with 0.3% mortality, 1.7% pericardial tamponade, 0.3% stroke, and 0.6% major bleeding complications; no device embolization was observed. During follow up at 6 or 12 months, major adverse cardiovascular events were reported in 3.3%: Stroke or TIA in 1.7%, thrombus formation on the device in 0.7%, and residual flow > 5 mm in 1.0%. In some publications, the favorable implantion properties of the LAmbre™ for difficult anatomies such as shallow or multilobular LAA anatomies were described.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review on the LAmbre™ LAA-occluder including n = 403 NVAF patients demonstrates an excellent implantion success rate, promising follow-up clinical data, and favorable properties for also challenging LAA anatomies,. While its design seems to be helpful in preventing device embolization, pericardial tamponade may not be substantially reduced by the LAmbre™ as compared with other established LAAC devices. Further larger prospective multicenter registries and randomized trials are needed to scrutinize the value of the LAmbre™ compared with established LAAC devices.

Percutaneous retrieval of a dislocated LAmbre left atrial appendage occluder in a canine model

BACKGROUND

Dislocated left atrial appendage (LAA) occluders can be retrieved by percutaneous intervention when performing device embolization into the left atrium (LA), aorta (AO), or left ventricle (LV). However, few reports exist regarding LAmbre LAA occluder dislocation.

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed to explore the outcome of retrieving dislocated LAmbre LAA occluder.

METHODS

Sixteen healthy dogs received LAmbre implants. After implantation of an occlusion device (not released), the occlusion device was completely retrieved. Subsequently, the device was released in the LA, resulting in the dislocation of the device. Angiography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed to check the occluders position. Disposable grasping rat-tooth forceps were used to percutaneously retrieve the LAA occluder.

RESULTS

All the 16 dogs were successfully implanted with the LAmbre LAA occluder and the success rate was 100%. After the occluder was released, TEE and angiography confirmed that the device was located in the LA in eight cases (50%), in the AO in five cases (31%), and in the LV in three cases (19%). One subject died due to cardiogenic shock before the retrieval procedure was complete as the device fell into the LV. Two cases of device-related aortic valve injury occurred during the retrieval procedure when the device was located in the LV. No complications were observed when the device was located in the LA or AO.

CONCLUSIONS

Device retrieval is feasible in most cases. However, potentially lethal complications may occur once the device is dislocated into the LV/AO.