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Updated: Sep 13, 2025

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

83.9K

A Case of Idiopathic Chest Pain Following Watchman Device Placement

Salman Pervaiz1,2, Abeera Azam3, Masab Ali4

  • 1Davis Heart and Lung Institute Columbus Ohio USA.

Clinical Case Reports
|July 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Chest pain after Watchman device implantation for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is rare. Surgical removal of the device resolved persistent, unexplained chest pain in one patient, suggesting it as a treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using devices like the Watchman is an alternative to anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
  • Chest pain is a rare complication post-LAAC, with potential causes including pericarditis or myocardial infarction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of persistent, idiopathic chest pain following Watchman device implantation.
  • To highlight the consideration of device explantation when conservative management fails for unexplained post-LAAC chest pain.

Main Methods:

  • A 59-year-old male with atrial fibrillation underwent Watchman device placement for LAAC.
  • Extensive diagnostic workup including ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization was performed to identify the cause of post-procedural chest pain.
  • Conservative treatments with colchicine, anti-inflammatories, and steroids were administered without symptom relief.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed severe, sharp, left-sided chest pain exacerbated by inspiration after Watchman implantation.
  • No evidence of acute coronary syndrome, pericardial effusion, or other identifiable complications was found.
  • Surgical removal of the Watchman device resulted in significant symptom resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent, idiopathic chest pain after LAAC should be considered a potential complication.
  • Device explantation may be a viable therapeutic option for patients with refractory symptoms after LAAC when other causes are ruled out.

Keywords:
atrial appendagechest painleft atrial appendage closurewatchman

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