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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Retrieval of embolized left atrial appendage devices
Peter Fahmy1, Lim Eng1, Jacqueline Saw1
1Division of Cardiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure prevents strokes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. This study details percutaneous retrieval of embolized LAA devices, offering safe techniques for endovascular implanters.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endovascular Surgery
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF) necessitates stroke prevention strategies.
- Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure is an alternative to anticoagulation for AF patients.
- Complications of LAA closure include pericardial effusion, thrombus, and device embolization.
Observation:
- Device embolization is a known complication of LAA closure procedures.
- Understanding embolization causes and retrieval techniques is crucial for endovascular implanters.
- Two cases of successful percutaneous LAA device retrieval are presented.
Findings:
- Embolized LAA devices (ACP/AMULET, WATCHMAN) can be safely retrieved percutaneously.
- Specific techniques for avoiding and retrieving embolized LAA devices are discussed.
- Successful percutaneous retrieval was achieved in the presented cases.
Implications:
- Safe percutaneous retrieval techniques enhance the safety profile of LAA closure procedures.
- Improved understanding of LAA device embolization management can reduce procedural risks.
- This knowledge is vital for endovascular specialists performing LAA closure.
Abstract:
Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is gaining interest as an alternative option for prevention of strokes in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), especially for those with contraindications to anticoagulation. Complications from these procedures are well described in the medical literature. LAA closures may lead to pericardial effusion, device-associated thrombus, and device embolization. Understanding the reasons for embolization, strategies to avoid embolization, and the techniques for retrieval of LAA devices (ACP/AMULET and WATCHMAN) should be appreciated by endovascular implanters. We describe two cases of LAA device embolization that were both successfully retrieved percutaneously and other percutaneous techniques to safely retrieve embolized LAA devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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