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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Thrombus in the left atrial appendage detected by intracardiac echocardiography
M R M Jongbloed1, J J Bax, E E van der Wall
1Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at the ostium of the pulmonary veins can potentially cure atrial fibrillation. Left-sided ablation procedures may carry a risk of thrombo-embolic events. Emboli from intracardiac thrombus originate from the left atrial appendage (LAA) in a substantial number of patients. The presence of spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrium (LA) and LAA peak emptying flow < or = 20 cm/s are also significantly related to thrombo-embolic events. Evaluation of the anatomy of the LA and LAA prior to left-sided procedures is therefore mandatory. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) appears an ideal technique to obtain this information during the RFCA-procedure. In the current report, we report on the use of ICE detecting a thrombus in the LAA in a patient planned to undergo RFCA of pulmonary veins for atrial fibrillation.
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