Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Left atrial appendage exclusion using an Amplatzer device
Insights
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) face higher stroke risks, often from clots in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Percutaneous LAA exclusion offers a stroke prevention alternative for high-risk patients unsuitable for anticoagulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases cardioembolic stroke risk.
- Thrombi causing ischemic events commonly originate in the left atrial appendage (LAA).
- Percutaneous LAA exclusion is an emerging stroke prevention strategy for AF patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulants.
Observation:
- The Amplatzer septal occluder, not initially designed for LAA occlusion, has been successfully utilized.
- A case study details the successful percutaneous exclusion of the LAA using an Amplatzer septal occluder in an AF patient.
Findings:
- The Amplatzer septal occluder demonstrated successful LAA exclusion in the presented case.
- This approach offers a viable alternative to surgical closure and long-term oral anticoagulation.
Implications:
- Percutaneous LAA exclusion using the Amplatzer septal occluder shows promise for stroke prevention in specific patient populations.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of this device for LAA occlusion.
Abstract:
Patients with atrial fibrillation are at an increased risk of having a cardioembolic stroke. Most of the thrombi responsible for these ischemic events originate in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Several surgical and percutaneous endovascular techniques have been explored to occlude the LAA. As an alternative of the surgical closure, percutaneous exclusion of the LAA is a new approach used to prevent strokes in high-risk patients with AF and contraindication to long-term oral anticoagulant therapy. Currently, two devices have been developed specifically for percutaneous occlusion of the LAA the PLAATO system and the WATCHMAN filter system. Although the Amplatzer septal occluder device was not originally intended to occlude the LAA it has been used with success in our centre for this purpose. We present an illustrative case of a patient with AF no longer suitable for chronic OCA referred for percutaneous exclusion of the LAA. She was treated successfully with an Amplatzer septal occluder. Although our experience with this device holds promise, future trials will be necessary to explore this strategy.
