Percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: early institutional experience.
OBJECTIVE
The percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion system (PLAATO, ev3 Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota, USA) is a novel technique of interventional cardiology, which has recently been proposed for the nonpharmacological prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation ineligible for oral anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K antagonists. The aim of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility and mid-term efficacy of this procedure.


METHODS
We conducted a preliminary institutional experience on a selected population of seven patients (two male, five female, mean age 64 +/- 7 years) with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at high risk for thromboembolic events with contraindications for oral anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K antagonists.


RESULTS
All procedures were successfully performed without any complications at a mean follow-up of 7 +/- 4 months and no thromboembolic or adverse cardiac events occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion is safe and feasible, without any complications at mid-term follow-up.
Ussia
Gian Paolo
GP
Cardiology Division, University of Catania, Ferrarotto Hospital, Italy. gianpaolo_ussia@virgilio.it
Mangiafico
Sarah
S
Privitera
Agata
A
Mulè
Massimiliano
M
Caruso
Elio
E
Galassi
Alfredo R
AR
Famoso
Giulia
G
Tamburino
Corrado
C
D000925:Anticoagulants; D020517:Atrial Appendage; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy*; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000379:methods*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000075202:Contraindications; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants