Mid-term outcomes of concomitant left atrial appendage closure and catheter ablation for non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a multicenter registry

Residual leaks following percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion and outcomes: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Residual leaks are not infrequent after left atrial appendage occlusion. However, there is still uncertainty regarding their prognostic implications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of residual leaks after left atrial appendage occlusion.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted until 19 February 2023. Residual leaks comprised peri-device leaks (PDLs) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or computed tomography (CT), as well as left atrial appendage patency on CT. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to assess the clinical impact of residual leaks.

RESULTS

Overall 48 eligible studies (44 non-randomized/observational and 4 randomized studies) including 61 666 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion were analysed. Peri-device leak by TEE was present in 26.1% of patients. Computed tomography-based left atrial appendage patency and PDL were present in 54.9% and 57.3% of patients, respectively. Transoesophageal echocardiography-based PDL (i.e. any reported PDL regardless of its size) was significantly associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism [pooled odds ratio (pOR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52-2.74], all-cause mortality (pOR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08-1.24), and major bleeding (pOR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.22), compared with no reported PDL. A positive graded association between PDL size and risk of thromboembolism was noted across TEE cut-offs. For any PDL of >0, >1, >3, and >5 mm, the pORs for thromboembolism were 1.82 (95% CI: 1.35-2.47), 2.13 (95% CI: 1.04-4.35), 4.14 (95% CI: 2.07-8.27), and 4.44 (95% CI: 2.09-9.43), respectively, compared with either no PDL or PDL smaller than each cut-off. Neither left atrial appendage patency, nor PDL by CT was associated with thromboembolism (pOR 1.45 and 1.04, 95% CI: 0.84-2.50 and 0.52-2.07, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-device leak detected by TEE was associated with adverse events, primarily thromboembolism. Residual leaks detected by CT were more frequent but lacked prognostic significance.

Prevalence and Impact of Poorly Controlled Modifiable Risk Factors Among Patients Who Underwent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Managing atrial fibrillation (AF) risk factors (RFs) improves ablation outcomes in obese patients. However, real-world data, including nonobese patients, are limited. This study examined the modifiable RFs of consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation at a tertiary care hospital from 2012 to 2019. The prespecified RFs included body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m², >5% fluctuation in BMI, obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure noncompliance, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hyperlipidemia, tobacco use, alcohol use higher than the standard recommendation, and a diagnosis-to-ablation time (DAT) >1.5 years. The primary outcome was a composite of arrhythmia recurrence, cardiovascular admissions, and cardiovascular death. In this study, a high prevalence of preablation modifiable RFs was observed. More than 50% of the 724 study patients had uncontrolled hyperlipidemia, a BMI ≥30 mg/m², a fluctuating BMI >5%, or a delayed DAT. During a median follow-up of 2.6 (interquartile range 1.4 to 4.6) years, 467 patients (64.5%) met the primary outcome. Independent RFs were a fluctuation in BMI >5% (hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, p = 0.008), diabetes with A_1c ≥6.5% (HR 1.50, p = 0.014), and uncontrolled hyperlipidemia (HR 1.30, p = 0.005). A total of 264 patients (36.46%) had at least 2 of these predictive RFs, which was associated with a higher incidence of the primary outcome. Delayed DAT over 1.5 years did not alter the ablation outcome. In conclusion, substantial portions of patients who underwent AF ablation have potentially modifiable RFs that were not well controlled. Fluctuating BMI, diabetes with hemoglobin A_1c ≥6.5%, and uncontrolled hyperlipidemia portend an increased risk of recurrent arrhythmia, cardiovascular hospitalizations, and mortality after ablation.

Concomitant transcatheter occlusion versus thoracoscopic surgical clipping for left atrial appendage in patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis

Background

Both catheter left atrial appendage occlusion combined with ablation (COA) and thoracoscopic surgical left atrial appendage clipping combined with ablation (TCA) have shown favorable outcomes in management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). However, studies comparing the endpoints of both techniques are still lacking. Herein, a meta-analysis of safety and efficacy outcomes of COA versus TCA was performed in patients with AFib.

Methods

Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for retrieving potential publications. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke during follow-up period of at least 12 months. Secondary outcomes were acute success rate of complete left atrial appendage (LAA) closure by COA or TCA, postprocedural mortality and complications, and all-cause mortality during follow-up period of at least 12 months.

Results

19 studies of COA containing 1,504 patients and 6 studies of TCA with 454 patients were eligible for analysis. No significant difference in stroke and all-cause mortality was found in patients undergoing COA versus TCA after at least a 12-month follow-up (stroke: p = 0.504; all-cause mortality: p = 0.611). COA group had a higher acute success rate compared with TCA group (p = 0.001). COA placed the patients at a higher risk of hemorrhage during the postprocedural period compared with TCA (p = 0.023). A similar risk of other postprocedural complications (stroke/transient ischemic attack and pericardial effusion) and mortality was found in the COA group in comparison with TCA group (p>0.05).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis showed that COA and TCA did not differ in stroke prevention and all-cause mortality in patients with AFib after a follow-up of at least 12 months. Postprocedural complications and mortality were almost comparable between the two groups. In the near future, high-quality randomized controlled trials exploring the optimal surgical strategies for AFib and endpoints of different procedures are warranted.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42022325497].

The long-term efficacy and safety of combining ablation and left atrial appendage closure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Combined ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative for atrial fibrillation patients with a high risk of stroke. However, the long-term outcomes of this combined procedure remain elusive.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched from the establishment of databases to 1 January 2021. Studies on the long-term (defined as a mean follow-up of approximately 12 months or longer) efficacy and safety outcomes of combined ablation and LAAC were included.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies comprising 1428 patients were enrolled. The pooled long-term freedom rate from atrial arrhythmia was 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.71), long-term successful rate sealing of LAAC was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00-1.00), and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism during follow-up was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00-0.02). Meanwhile, of the periprocedural adverse events, phrenic nerve palsy, intracoronary air embolus, device embolization, and periprocedural death had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00-0.00), procedure-related bleeding events of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02-0.04), and pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00-0.01). Moreover, for the long-term adverse events, device dislocation, intracranial bleeding, pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention, and all-cause mortality had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00-0.00), device embolization of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00-0.01), and other bleeding events of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00-0.03).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that the combined atrial ablation and LAAC is an effective and safe strategy with long-term benefits.

Combining left atrial appendage closure and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: 2-year outcomes from a multinational registry

AIMS

Clinical practice guidelines do not recommend discontinuation of long-term oral anticoagulation in patients with a high stroke risk after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with Watchman has emerged as an alternative to long-term anticoagulation for patients accepting of the procedural risks. We report on the long-term outcomes of combining catheter ablation procedures for AF and LAAC from multicentre registries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were pooled from two prospective, real-world Watchman LAAC registries running in parallel in Europe/Middle-East/Russia (EWOLUTION) and Asia/Australia (WASP) between 2013 and 2015. Of the 1140 patients, 142 subjects at 11 centres underwent a concomitant AF ablation and LAAC procedure. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.4 ± 1.4 and HAS-BLED score 1.5 ± 0.9. Successful LAAC was achieved in 99.3% of patients. The 30-day device and/or procedure-related serious adverse event rate was 2.1%. After a mean follow-up time of 726 ± 91 days, 92% of patients remained off oral anticoagulation. The rates of the composite endpoint of ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack/systemic thromboembolism were 1.09 per 100 patient-years (100-PY); and for non-procedural major bleeding were 1.09 per 100-PY. These represent relative reductions of 84% and 70% vs. expected rates per risk scores.

CONCLUSION

The long-term outcomes from these international, multicentre registries show efficacy for all-cause stroke prevention and a significant reduction in late bleeding events in a population of high stroke risk post-ablation patients who have been withdrawn from oral anticoagulation.

Device-Related Thrombosis in Patients Receiving One-Stop Intervention for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to assess the incidence, clinical implications, and treatment strategies of device-related thrombus (DRT) following catheter ablation and percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion combined in one intervention. A meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted to evaluate the incidence rates, treatment strategies, and clinical implications of DRT. A total of 21 studies describing DRT events and 1 case were included in the current study. The 21 included studies comprised 3 multi-center registries and 18 single-center registries, and we also included 1 case report analyzing the characteristics of DRT. The pooled incidence of DRT in one-stop intervention was 18/1,708 (1.2%; range = 0%-7.3%; 95% CI = 0.7%-1.8%; I 2 = 0). Of these DRT events, 56.25% were diagnosed in the first 3 months after the procedure. All cases were diagnosed via trans-esophagus echocardiogram. All of the patients diagnosed with DRT were prescribed anticoagulation treatment, and 63% (12/19) of the events were reported with an outcome of complete thrombus resolution. The duration of anticoagulation treatment varied greatly, from 30 days to 6 months. Unknown clinical events were reported relating to DRT. Device-related thrombus is an uncommon complication of one-stop intervention. It occurs mainly in the early period following the procedure. Anticoagulation appears to be an appropriate treatment method for dissolving occurrences of DRT.

[Success rate of one-stop procedure for atrial fibrillation ablation and its impact on cardiac function: a propensity-matched study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the combination of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) on cardiac function and the success rate of AF ablation.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 56 patients with AF undergoing a one-stop procedure for AF ablation and LAAC in our hospital between May, 2015 and May, 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) at the ratio of 1:1 was used to select 56 control patients undergoing AF ablation at high risk of stroke, for matching with the hybrid procedure group. The perioperative complications, thromboembolic events, recurrence of atrial arrhythmia and cardiac function were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The two groups of patients were comparable for age, gender, BMI, duration and type of AF, concomitant diseases, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores (P > 0.05). The incidence of complications did not differ significantly between the hybrid procedure group and AF ablation group (17.9% vs 12.5%, P=0.430). Compared with the control patients with AF ablation alone, the patients undergoing the hybrid procedure had a lowered incidence of thromboembolic events, but the difference was not statistically significant (1.8%vs 3.6%, P=1.000). The hybrid procedure did not improve the success rate of AF ablation (OR: 1.338, 95%CI: 0.451-3.973, P= 0.600) but significantly improved the cardiac function parameters including NT-pro BNP (945.3±1401.6 pg/mL vs 1520.7±2089.1 pg/mL, P=0.010), LVEF[(60.8±7.0)% vs (58.6±7.8)%, P=0.044], and left atrial diameter (43.9±7.5 mm vs 45.6±6.3 mm, P=0.076); but the improvement of cardiac function was more obvious in the control patients undergoing AF ablation alone (P < 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of AF ablation and LAAC is safe but does not improve the success rate of AF ablation. The one-stop procedure can improve cardiac function of the patients, but AF ablation alone can achieve better improvement of cardiac function.

The WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure device for patients with atrial fibrillation: current status and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Stroke prevention with oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended in AF patients at increased risk of stroke. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main source of thrombus formation in AF patients. The WATCHMAN percutaneous LAA closure (LAAC) device may serve as an alternative to OAC overcoming disadvantages including the risk of (major) bleeding.

AREAS COVERED

This review will focus on LAAC with the Watchman device for stroke prevention in AF patients. Current status, available literature, clinical safety and efficacy will be summarized. Furthermore, the future perspectives of Watchman will be discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

LAAC with Watchman appears a promising, safe, and effective alternative to OAC. Ongoing and future studies to consolidate the position of Watchman should focus on comparative safety and efficacy of different LAAC devices, patient selection, various post-procedural antithrombotic regimens, head-to-head comparisons with NOAC, better understanding of device-related thrombus, and the role of the LAA in the propagation of non-valvular AF. This research may attribute to a paradigm shift in which LAAC no longer serves as a 'last resort' treatment for AF patients ineligible for OAC but may serve as a second-line or even first-line treatment option for AF patients.

Left Atrial Appendage Mechanical Exclusion: Procedural Planning Using Cardiovascular Computed Tomographic Angiography

Left atrial appendage (LAA) mechanical exclusion is being investigated for nonpharmacologic stroke risk reduction in selected patients with atrial fibrillation. There are multiple potential approaches in various stages of development and clinical application, each of which depends on specific cardiothoracic anatomic characteristics for optimal performance. Multiple imaging modalities can be utilized for application of this technology, with transesophageal echocardiography used for intraprocedural guidance. Cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography can act as a virtual patient avatar, allowing for the assessment of cardiac structures in the context of surrounding cardiac, coronary vascular, thoracic vascular, and visceral and skeletal anatomy, aiding preprocedural decision-making, planning, and follow-up. Although transesophageal echocardiography is used for intraprocedural guidance, computed tomographic angiography may be a useful adjunct for preprocedure assessment of LAA sizing and anatomic obstacles or contraindications to deployment, aiding in the assessment of optimal approaches. Potential approaches to LAA exclusion include endovascular occlusion, epicardial ligation, primary minimally invasive intercostal thoracotomy with thoracoscopic LAA ligation or appendectomy, and minimally invasive or open closure as part of cardiothoracic surgery for other indications. The goals of these procedures are complete isolation or exclusion of the entire appendage without leaving a residual appendage stump or residual flow with avoidance of acute or chronic damage to surrounding cardiovascular structures. The cardiovascular imager plays an important role in the preprocedural and postprocedural assessment of the patient undergoing LAA exclusion.

Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation combined with left atrial appendage occlusion for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently the most prevalent arrhythmia in clinical practice, with stroke being one of its major complications. Combining catheter ablation and percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) into a "one-stop" intervention could reduce stroke incidence in selected high-risk patients and, at the same time, relieve AF symptoms in a single procedure. This meta-analysis analyzed the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation combined with LAAO for nonvalvular AF. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2019 to identify relevant citations. Efficacy indexes were procedural success, AF recurrence, stroke/transient ischemic attacks (TIA), and device-related thrombus (DRT). Safety indexes were all-cause death, major hemorrhagic complications, and pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade. The incidence rate of events (ratio of events to patients) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as summary results. A forest plot was constructed to present pooled rates. Eighteen studies (two randomized controlled trials and 16 observational studies) were included. The results showed that one-stop intervention has significant efficacy and safety, with procedural success of .98 (95% CI, .97-1.00), AF recurrence of .24 (95% CI, .15-.35), stroke/TIA of .01 (95% CI, .00-.01), DRT of .00 (95% CI, .00-.01), all-cause mortality of .00 (95% CI, .00-.00), cardiac/neurological mortality of .00 (95% CI, .00-.00), major hemorrhagic complications of .01 (95% CI, .00-.02), and pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade of .01 (95% CI, .00-.01). A single procedure with catheter ablation and LAAO in AF is a feasible strategy with significant efficacy and safety.