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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Direct Implantation of a Left Atrial Appendage Occluder During Cardiothoracic Surgery
Tom De Potter1, Konstantinos E Iliodromitis1, Etel Silva Garcia1
1Arrhythmia Unit, Cardiovascular Center, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium.
Insights
Incomplete sealing of the left atrial appendage (LAA) after surgery increases stroke risk. A Watchman device implantation during redo heart surgery offers a new LAA occlusion option for patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Surgical left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is common during heart procedures.
- Incomplete LAA sealing post-surgery is a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular events.
Observation:
- The study reports the successful implantation of a Watchman LAA occluder.
- This procedure was performed during redo minimally invasive open heart surgery.
Findings:
- The Watchman device provides an alternative method for LAA occlusion.
- This approach is suitable for patients undergoing repeat cardiac surgery.
Implications:
- This technique offers a new option for LAA occlusion in specific patient populations.
- It addresses the risks associated with incomplete surgical LAA closure.
- Minimally invasive LAA occlusion may improve outcomes in redo cardiac surgery.
Abstract:
Surgical suture or exclusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a commonly performed technique in patients undergoing cardiothoracic revascularization or valve repair, or both. However, incomplete surgical sealing of the LAA is not a rare phenomenon and strongly increases the risk for future cerebrovascular embolic events. We report the implantation of a Watchman LAA occluder (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) during redo minimally invasive open heart surgery. This approach offers a new alternative for LAA occlusion in patients for whom a surgical procedure is scheduled.
