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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Does left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion device alter the echocardiography and electrocardiogram parameters in
Qiqiang Jie1, Dongzhi Wang1, Baoxin Liu1
1Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
Insights
Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion therapy influences electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, causing slight QRS axis shifts and changes in heart rate and QT interval. Echocardiography showed no immediate changes, but larger left atrial and aortic root diameters were noted later.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- The impact of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion on echocardiography and electrocardiogram (ECG) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains unclear.
- LAA occlusion is a therapeutic option for stroke prevention in AF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of LAA occlusion devices on echocardiographic and ECG parameters in AF patients.
- To assess changes in cardiac structure and electrical activity post-LAA occlusion.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-three patients undergoing Watchman, LAmbre, or Lefort LAA occlusion were studied.
- Echocardiography and ECG were performed pre- and post-procedure, with follow-up at 1, 6, and 12 months.
- Analysis focused on ECG parameters (QRS axis, heart rate, QT interval) and echocardiographic measurements (LA diameter, aortic root diameter).
Main Results:
- A slight, measurable shift in the QRS electric axis was observed in most patients post-occlusion.
- Significant differences were noted in heart rate (reduced) and mean-mean QT interval (increased) compared to baseline.
- No significant immediate changes in echocardiographic parameters were found, but LA diameter increased at 6 months and aortic root diameter at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- LAA occlusion devices induce minor QRS axis movement, reduce heart rate, and prolong the mean-mean QT interval.
- Left atrial and aortic root diameters may increase following LAA device implantation, as detected by echocardiography during follow-up.
Background:
The alterations of echocardiography and electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients received left atrial appendage LAA occlusion therapy are still unclear. The present study was to evaluate the influence of LAA occlusion device on echocardiography and ECG changes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods:
Seventy-three patients who had undergone Watchman, LAmbre and Lefort were enrolled in this study. Echocardiography and ECG results at pre- and post-operation were collected. Besides, echocardiography was also performed during follow-up visits at 1, 6 and 12months after discharge.
Results:
After LAA occlusion, a slight and measureable movement of QRS electric axis was observed in most patients. The significant differences were also observed in heart rate (HR) and the mean-mean QT interval between pre- and post-operation for all patients. There existed no significant difference in echocardiographic parameters between before and after device implantation. However, a larger left atrial (LA) diameter was detected by echocardiography during follow-up visit at 6months when compared with pre-operation parameters. Similarly, aortic root diameter (ARD) was also larger during follow-up at 12months than the baseline dimension in pre-operation.
Conclusions:
LAA occlusion device resulted in a slightly movement in QRS axis, reduced HR and increased the mean-mean QT interval duration. In addition, LA diameter and ARD seemed to be larger after device implantation.
