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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
UFO in the Left Atrium: How to Capture Metal Debris Floating in the Left Atrium
Gaetano Fassini1, Massimo Moltrasio1, Sergio Conti1
1Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Centre, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Electrophysiology procedures involving left atrium navigation are becoming more frequent, mostly due to the increase of atrial fibrillation ablation. Mapping catheters of different shapes and size as well as dedicated sheaths are mandatory tools for the accomplishment of procedural end point. Therefore, technical issues are expected, usually unrelated to significant risk. However, any accidental intra-atrial device loss of integrity implies a risk of cerebrovascular embolization. The lack of clear evidence on how to manage these events and the need for a quick solution complicate the scenario. We report an empirical solution in the case of debris floating in the left atrium.
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