Anesthetic Choice for Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage: A National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry Analysis

CONTEXT

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was developed as a novel stroke prevention alternative for patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly for those not suitable for long-term oral anticoagulant therapy. Traditionally, general anesthesia (GA) has been more commonly used primarily due to the necessity of transesophageal echocardiography.

AIMS

Compare trends of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) versus GA for percutaneous transcatheter LAAC with endocardial implant and assess for independent variables associated with primary anesthetic choice.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Multi-institutional data collected from across the United States using the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective data analysis from 2017-2021.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Independent-sample t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for continuous variables and Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 19,395 patients underwent the procedure, and 352 patients (1.8%) received MAC. MAC usage trended upward from 2017-2021 (P < 0.0001). MAC patients were more likely to have an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of≥ 4 (33.6% vs 22.89%) and to have been treated at centers in the South (67.7% vs 44.2%), in rural locations (71% vs 39.5%), and with lower median annual percutaneous transcatheter LAAC volume (102 vs 153 procedures) (all P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, patients treated in the West had 85% lower odds of receiving MAC compared to those in the Northeast (AOR: 0.15; 95% CI 0.03-0.80, P = 0.0261).

CONCLUSIONS

While GA is the most common anesthetic technique for percutaneous transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage, a small, statistically significant increase in MAC occurred from 2017-2021. Anesthetic management for LAAC varies with geographic location.

A comparison of neuromuscular blockade and reversal using cisatricurium and neostigmine with rocuronium and sugamadex on the quality of recovery from general anaesthesia for percutaneous closure of left atria appendage

BACKGROUND

There is a growing interest in minimally invasive left atrial appendage closure therapies. However, for successful catheter surgery, it is necessary to achieve high-quality postoperative recovery. The aim of the study is to comparison of neuromuscular blockade and reversal using cisatricurium and neostigmine with rocuronium and sugamadex on the quality of recovery from general anaesthesia for percutaneous closure of left atria appendage.

METHODS

Eighty-four patients who received percutaneous LAAC were randomly placed into two groups, general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation with either propofol-remifentanil-cisatracurium-neostigmine (group C) or propofol-remifentanil-rocuronium-sugammadex (group S). The QoR-40 questionnaire was used to assess recovery quality 6 h after surgery, and the time of spontaneous respiration, the time of consciousness recovery, the time of extubation, the duration in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU), and the adverse events after awakening were collected.

RESULTS

Compared with the group C, the group S demonstrated significantly higher individual QoR-40 dimension scores, a significantly shorter recovery time for spontaneous respiration and consciousness, time of extubation, and duration in the PACU, and a lower incidence of transient hypoxemia, agitation, nausea and vomiting and urinary retention. There was a non-significant trend for the length of stay in the hospital in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

General anesthesia and endotracheal intubation with propofol-remifentanil-rocuronium-sugammadex provided better quality of recovery, shorter anaesthesia duration, and lower incidence of hypoxemia and agitation. Neuromuscular blockade and reversal using rocuronium and sugamadex is better than with cisatricurium and neostigmine on the quality of recovery from general anaesthesia for percutaneous closure of left atria appendage.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

chictr.org, ChiCTR2000031857. Registered on April 12, 2020.

Image fusion of integrating fluoroscopy into 3D computed tomography in guidance of left atrial appendage closure

AIMS

We evaluated the feasibility of left atrial appendage (LAA) closure guided by the image fusion of integrating fluoroscopy into 3D computed tomography (CT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 117 consecutive patients who underwent LAA closure with or without the image fusion were matched (1:2). Each LAA closure step of the Image fusion group was guided by the preprocedure CT and image fusion, especially in the plan of LAA measurement and transseptal puncture. All patients were successfully implanted with a WATCHMAN closure device. Comparing the two groups, the mean number of recapture times and the number of devices per patient of the Image fusion group were significantly lower (0.4 ± 0.5 vs. 0.7 ± 0.8, P = 0.031 and 1.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.027, respectively). The one-time successful deployment rate by the support of the image fusion was higher than in the control group (66.7% vs. 44.9%, P = 0.026). Each case of the Image fusion group was completely occluded with one transseptal puncture, while five of the Non-image fusion group required redo transseptal punctures. During the 45-day follow-up, both group cases presented occlusion efficiency and no major adverse cardiac events were observed.

CONCLUSION

Image fusion technique integrating fluoroscopy into the 3D CT is safe and feasible which can be easily incorporated into the procedural work-flow of percutaneous LAA closure. The fusion image can play an important alternative role in the plan of LAA measurement and transseptal puncture site for improving the LAA closure procedure.

Echocardiographic Guidance of AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device Placement

In this report, we provided details of periprocedural echocardiographic guidance for patients undergoing Amplatzer-Amulet device left atrial closure. Familiarity with left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices and the required left atrial examination and measurements are key before device placement. Device placement is assisted by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy, but TEE will be the main guide for patients with renal insufficiency in whom contrast dye use needs to be minimal. TEE is also used to confirm LAA occlusion with the device and finally detect complications throughout the procedure and into the postoperative period.