title: Contrast enhanced transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of left atrial appendage closure device implantation.
abstract: The percutaneous implantation of a left atrial appendage closure device offers an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and concomitant risk factors for stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography plays a key role in defining left atrial appendage anatomy and in guiding device implantation. The authors describe a case in which contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiography was critically important in spatially resolving the borders of the left atrial appendage, which ultimately led to successful device implantation with cessation of warfarin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA. mmain@cc-pc.com
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Main
authors.forename: George G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Latus
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magalski
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D003287:Contrast Media; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D014859:Warfarin; C042852:perflutren