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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.3K

Pulmonary artery perforation caused by a left atrial appendage closure device

Cong Lu1,2, Jie Zeng3, Qingguo Meng4

  • 1Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions : Official Journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions
|October 18, 2019
PubMed

Insights

A WATCHMAN device used for left atrial appendage closure caused pulmonary artery perforation and cardiac tamponade. This rare complication highlights the need for careful pre-procedural assessment of adjacent cardiac structures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • Hybrid catheter interventions combine minimally invasive techniques for complex cardiac conditions.
  • Occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) are common procedures.

Observation:

  • A patient developed sudden pericardial tamponade four hours post-procedure.
  • Surgical exploration revealed a WATCHMAN device fixation hook had perforated the LAA wall.

Findings:

  • The WATCHMAN device hook tore the adjacent dilated pulmonary artery (PA).
  • This is the first reported case of PA perforation due to WATCHMAN device barbs.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the critical importance of evaluating the LAA's relationship with adjacent structures before LAA closure.
  • Suggests potential risks associated with WATCHMAN device implantation and the need for enhanced procedural vigilance.

Keywords:
intervention complicationleft atrial appendage closurepulmonary artery perforation

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