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Updated: Jul 14, 2025
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Left atrial appendage thrombus in an elderly patient with atrial fibrillation during non-cardiac surgery- a case
Yaru Li1, Luyang Jiang2, Lu Wang1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xi Zhi Men South Street, Beijing, 100044, China.
Background:
Perioperative newly developed left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is a rare but extremely challenging event for anesthesia management. It's important to identify and diagnose thrombosis in high-risk populations promptly.
Case Presentation:
In the case of an elderly patient with atrial fibrillation undergoing non-cardiac surgery, we recorded the findings before and after thrombosis during the operation using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Through timely detection of the thrombus and proactive management, a satisfactory therapeutic effect was ultimately achieved.
Conclusions:
Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of LAA clot formation during surgery, even if it was not detected preoperatively. And TEE is valuable for monitoring newly developed perioperative thrombosis.
