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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Serious complications from dislocation of a Watchman left atrial appendage occluder

Claudia Stöllberger1, Birke Schneider, Josef Finsterer

  • 1Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, 2. Medizinische Abteilung, Vienna, Austria. claudia.stoellberger@chello.at

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
|March 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Left atrial appendage occlusion using the Watchman device can lead to serious complications, as demonstrated by a case of device embolization requiring emergency surgery and resulting in heart failure. This highlights potential risks of percutaneous LAA occlusion.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Interventional Procedures

Background:

  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is a strategy to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • The Watchman occluder is a device used for percutaneous LAA occlusion, currently under investigation in the PROTECT AF trial.

Observation:

  • A 78-year-old male patient experienced Watchman device embolization 10 minutes after implantation.
  • The embolized device migrated to the aortic valve.

Findings:

  • Emergency cardiac surgery was required for device removal from the aortic valve.
  • The patient necessitated implantation of an aortic bioprosthesis and a pacemaker.
  • One year post-surgery, the patient continued to experience heart failure.

Implications:

  • Percutaneous LAA occlusion procedures carry risks of severe complications.
  • This case underscores the importance of careful patient selection and procedural monitoring during LAA occlusion.
  • Further research into device safety and management of complications is warranted.

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