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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Late discovery of left atrial appendage occluder device embolization: a case report
Mohamad Jihad Mansour1,2,3, Clément Bénic2,3, Romain Didier2,3
1Division of Cardiology, Lebanese University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been well evaluated in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Device embolization remains one of the most common complications. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of late discovery of LAA occluder device embolization at 1.5 years after implantation.
Case Presentation:
We describe the case of a 77-year-old man who underwent uneventful LAA closure. Echocardiography performed the next day showed the device in place. The patient was discharged but was then lost to follow-up. 1.5 years later, he was admitted for ischemic stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography showed the absence of the occluder device in the LAA. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed the device in the abdominal aorta. Due to the high cardiovascular risk, the device was kept in place and the patient was treated medically.
Conclusions:
Per-procedural and late device embolization are not uncommon. Review of the literature however showed no report of late discovery of device embolization at 1.5 years. Follow-up echocardiography is mandatory for the detection of endothelialization or embolization.
