title: Post mortem analysis of a left atrial appendage occlusion device (PLAATO) in a patient with permanent atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Thromboemoblism is the most feared complication of atrial fibrillation. Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion is a new interventional procedure for reducing thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. The paper reports of a post mortem analysis of the device demonstrating that one year after implantation the atrial surface of the device is completely covered by neo-endothelium and the device occludes the appendage completely.
authors.affiliation: Innere Abteilung, St. Marien Hospital Bonn, Robert-Koch-Str. 1, 53115, Bonn, Germany. heyder.omran@marien-hospital-bonn.de
authors.forename: Heyder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Omran
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hardung
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hammerstingl
authors.forename: Giso
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: von der Recke
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Büttner
authors.forename: Berndt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lüderitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*