Systematic Review of Contiguous Vessel and Valve Injury Associated with Endocardial Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices

Massive Hemoptysis: An Unusual Complication of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device in Two Patients

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices have emerged as a promising alternative for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with contraindications to chronic anticoagulation therapy. The most common life-threatening procedural complications described in the literature include pericardial effusion, air embolism, and stroke. We here present a case report of two patients who experienced identical but rare post-procedural complications of pulmonary venous bleed, presenting as hemoptysis.

Case report: pulmonary artery perforation during transseptal puncture for left atrial appendage closure requires emergency cardiac operation

Patients with atrial fibrillation who take a high bleeding risk and are not candidates for oral anticoagulation therapy are increasingly being referred for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) as an alternative method of stroke prevention. However, certain manipulations performed during the LAAC procedure, such as transseptal puncture (TSP), may potentially result in vessel injury and lead to cardiac tamponade or even fatality. Clinical significance and management strategies associated with these complications remain controversial. A 74-year-old female patient with atrial fibrillation was referred for left atrial appendage occlusion. During the puncture of the atrial septum, the catheter sheath inadvertently exited through the roof of the right atrium and continued to advance, resulting in pulmonary artery perforation. The patient underwent immediate pericardiocentesis and drainage, followed by surgical exploration for suturing the tear in the pulmonary artery and ligation of the left atrial appendage. This represents the first reported case of a pulmonary artery perforation occurring during a transseptal puncture procedure for left atrial appendage closure. The case exemplifies the feasibility of emergency cardiac surgery as a therapeutic intervention.

Nonthrombogenic Roles of the Left Atrial Appendage: JACC Review Topic of the Week

The atrial appendage (LAA) is a well-established source of cardioembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Therefore, research involving the LAA has largely focused on its thrombogenic attribute and the utility of its exclusion in stroke prevention. However, recent studies have highlighted several novel functions of the LAA that may have important therapeutic implications. In this paper, we provide a concise overview of the LAA anatomy and summarize the emerging data on its nonthrombogenic roles.

Imaging risk features for device related pulmonary artery injury after left atrial appendage closure with Amplatzer™ Amulet™ device

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to find imaging risk features for device related-pulmonary artery (PA) injury (DR-PAI) in patients after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).

BACKGROUND

Cardiac tamponade resulting from DR-PAI is a rare but life-threatening complication of LAAC.

METHODS

In vitro analysis of Amplatzer™ Amulet™ (Abbott, MN) device was done. Measurements of the distance between PA and Amplatzer lobe at its middle part, distal part, and along the stabilizing wires' trajectory (wires-to-PA distance) were taken in 100 consecutive patients on post-LAAC computed tomography (CT) studies. Clinical outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

In vitro analysis indicated that both middle and distal lobe had to be in close PA proximity (<1.5 mm) for the stabilizing wires to cause risk for DR-PAI, configuration called ''cuddling lobe orientation''. On CT measurements middle lobe-PA distance was 4.7 mm (IQR = 2.7-9.5), with close proximity in 4 (4%) patients, and distal lobe-PA distance was 3.2 mm (IQR = 1.8-7.2 mm), with close proximity in 17 (17%) patients. Stabilizing wires were pointing toward PA in 47 patients (47%) with median wire-to-PA distance 5.7 mm (IQR = 3.6-8.5 mm). ''Cuddling'' was found in 2 (2%) patients and resulted in shorter wires-to-PA distance vs no ''cuddling'' group (2.3 vs 5.8 mm p <.01). At 2.9 ± 1.0 yrs of follow-up, the two patients with ''cuddling lobe orientation'' on post-LAAC CT scan developed late cardiac tamponades (p <.001). One of those required surgery, which confirmed DR-PAI.

CONCLUSIONS

''Cuddling lobe orientation'' of Amulet device with the PA was associated with short wires-to-PA distance and late pericardial effusions, including DR-PAI. Hence, such device-to-PA configuration should be avoided.