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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Adverse events associated with amplatzer left atrial appendage occlusion delivery system: A Food and Drug
Jakrin Kewcharoen1, Kuldeep Shah2, Rahul Bhardwaj1
1Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA.
Background:
Dual occlusive closure mechanism (disc and lobe type), Amulet device (Abbott; a second-generation device that has replaced Amplatzer Cardiac Plug) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2021 for percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, real-world safety data on the delivery system (Amplatzer Cardiac Plug and Amplatzer Amulet device) are lacking.
Objective:
We sought to assess the type of adverse events associated with the Amplatzer LAAO delivery system using the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.
Methods:
A MAUDE database search was conducted on March 31, 2023, for reports received between February 2013 and March 2023 to capture all adverse events.
Results:
A total of 59 adverse events were reported, of which 58 were sheath-related events, and one was a wire-related event. The most commonly encountered issue was air embolism (19%, 11 events), followed by sheath thrombosis (13.8%, eight events, two of which were also associated with device thrombosis), kinked sheath (10.3%, six events), and sheath deformation (8.6%, five events). Patient-related adverse events included pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis (22.4%, 13 events), vascular complications (20.7%, 12 events), and device dislodgement (5.2%, three events).
Conclusion:
LAAO-related adverse events are increasingly being reported using the Amplatzer LAAO delivery sheath. It is anticipated that improvements in device technology, the advent of steerable sheaths, and operator experience will minimize these complications.
