Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage in patients with diabetes mellitus

Obayda Azizy1, Christos Rammos1, Nils Lehmann2

  • 11 West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Insights

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure is a safe and effective treatment for preventing thrombo-embolism in patients with diabetes mellitus. This procedure shows similar outcomes in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, despite their higher baseline risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus Research

Background:

  • Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a key strategy for preventing atrial fibrillation-related thrombo-embolism.
  • Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) face elevated risks in percutaneous cardiac interventions.
  • This study investigates the safety and efficacy of LAAC in diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  • To compare outcomes of LAAC between patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label, single-centre observational study included 78 patients undergoing LAAC.
  • Patients were stratified into diabetic (n=31) and non-diabetic (n=47) groups.
  • Risk scores (CHA2DS2-VASc, HAS-BLED, Euro II, STS) and procedural/follow-up outcomes were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic patients exhibited higher thrombo-embolic and bleeding risks (CHA2DS2-VASc, HAS-BLED) and pre-procedural risk scores (Euro II, STS).
  • Procedural success rates were similar between groups.
  • No significant difference in periprocedural major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, bleeding complications, stroke, left atrial appendage flow velocity, or post-interventional leakage was observed at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Percutaneous LAAC is safe and effective in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  • Outcomes of LAAC are comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, even with higher baseline risks in the diabetic cohort.
Abstract