Emergent surgical removal of a migrated left atrial appendage occluder

Mohamed El-Gabry1, Sharaf-Eldin Shehada1, Daniel Wendt1

  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Centre, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany.

Insights

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder embolization after WATCHMAN™ device implantation can lead to serious complications, including perforation and tamponade. Emergent surgical retrieval is crucial for managing these critical events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is a standard therapy for preventing thromboembolic events in atrial fibrillation patients.
  • Percutaneous LAA closure devices, like the WATCHMAN™ device, are widely used.
  • Device embolization is a rare but serious complication following LAA occlusion procedures.

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