title: Percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: early institutional experience.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, University of Catania, Ferrarotto Hospital, Italy. gianpaolo_ussia@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ussia
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mangiafico
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mulè
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Alfredo R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Famoso
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tamburino
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants