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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Thrombus entrapment with left atrial appendage closure to facilitate early cardioversion in tachycardiomyopathy: a
Jolie Bruno1, Lorenz Räber1, Bruno Schnegg1
1Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Background:
The aetiological spectrum of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is various. Tachycardiomyopathy is recognized as one of the cause, usually made retrospectively. In this clinical context, rhythm control with restoration of sinus rhythm is considered crucial to minimize ventricular function damage and allow contractility recovery. However, the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial appendage is a limiting factor, typically requiring anticoagulation until the thrombus resolves, at least 3 weeks, thus delaying the therapy.
Case Summary:
We present a case of 65-year-old man with diagnosis of new-onset acute symptomatic heart failure with severe reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction 15%), in the context of a typical tachycardic atrial flutter and concomitant thrombus in the left atrial appendage confirmed by transoesophageal echocardiography. We successfully performed a thrombus entrapment procedure by means of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure, which allowed immediate restoration of sinus rhythm through cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. After the institution of the heart failure therapy, titrated up to the maximum tolerated dose, we observed a complete restoration of left ventricular function after 6 months.
Discussion:
Thrombus entrapment by means of left atrial appendage closure is a valid strategy that enables early cardioversion with arrhythmia ablation and rapid restoration of normal cardiac rhythm in severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, even in acute situations and typical atrial flutter.
