title: Left atrial appendage closure: Initial experience with the ultraseal device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report the initial experience of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the Ultraseal device.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  LAA closure is an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and high risk of bleeding. The Ultraseal device is a new LAA closure prosthesis that consists of a distal soft bulb and a proximal sail attached by an articulating joint that allows a high degree of device conformability to the different variations of the LAA anatomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 12 consecutive patients with NVAF who underwent LAA closure with the Ultraseal device between January and December 2015 in our center. Patients had clinical and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations at baseline and at 45 days following LAA closure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The device was successfully implanted in all patients, with no periprocedural complications. There were no episodes of bleeding, stroke, pericardial effusion, or device embolization at 45-day follow-up. No cases with residual leaks >5 mm were observed at TEE. One patient presented a device related thrombus without clinical consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This initial experience with the Ultraseal LAA closure device demonstrates preliminary safety and feasibility. Further larger studies with longer follow-up are warranted. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Ander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Regueiro
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Paradis
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beaudoin
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Gabella
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Champagne
authors.affiliation: Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodés-Cabau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000074286:Preliminary Data; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: atrial fibrillation; bleeding; stroke