Stöllberger C, Schneider B, Finsterer J. Serious Complications from Dislocation of a Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Occluder.
J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2007;
18:880-1. [PMID:
17343719 DOI:
10.1111/j.1540-8167.2007.00784.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Left atrial appendage (LAA) elimination is regarded to protect patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from stroke or embolism. The Watchman occluder is a device for percutaneous LAA occlusion and is at present investigated in the PROTECT AF trial. In a 78-year-old man, embolization of the Watchman device occurred 10 minutes after implantation. At emergency cardiac surgery, the device was removed from the aortic valve and an aortic bioprosthesis and a pacemaker had to be implanted. One year postoperatively, he still suffers from heart failure. This case shows that percutaneous LAA occlusion may result in serious complications.
Collapse