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Updated: Sep 4, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Immediate Cardioversion During Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Three Patients With Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus
Nihan Bahadır1, Fatih Akkaya1, Osman Bektaş1
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
Purpose:
We report the first cases of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) performed during percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with left atrial appendage thrombus and assess its technical feasibility.
Methods:
Three patients with left atrial appendage thrombus and absolute indications for LAAO underwent DCCV during the procedure because of hemodynamic instability from rapid atrial fibrillation.
Results:
A single 200-J shock restored sinus rhythm in all patients. No device migration, embolization, significant peridevice leak, or neurologic events occurred. Follow-up imaging confirmed stable device position.
Conclusions:
DCCV during LAAO appears technically feasible in selected patients, although larger studies are needed to confirm safety.
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