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Updated: May 12, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
[A complicated left atrial appendage closure : percutaneous management of LAA rupture]
Nicolas Amabile1, Konstantinos Zannis2, Ayoub Belfekih3
1Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris Sud, Hôpital Jacques Cartier, Massy, France.
Abstract:
An 81-year-old patient was referred for left atrial appendage closure. Anatomical LAA analysis by CT scan showed an inverted chicken wing morphology. The procedure was performed through i an infero-anterior transseptal puncture and led to "sandwich" closure strategy using an AMPLATZER AMULET 25 mm device. Despite successful deployment of the occluder, a hemopericardium soon developed related to an iatrogenic LAA perforation/partial rupture and leading to major hemodynamic instability. After pericardocentesis, it was decided to inject activated thrombin into the pericardial sac to achieve in situ hemostasis. This strategy enabled coagulation of the hemopericardium and cessation of active bleeding, without recourse to surgical treatment.
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