Role for the left atrial appendage occlusion device in managing thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation

Only 50% of patients who would benefit from warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) receive treatment because of clinical concerns regarding chronic anti‐coagulation. Percutaneous strategies to treat AF, including pulmonary vein isolation with a curative intent or atrioventricular nodal ablati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Internal medicine journal 2012-03, Vol.42 (3), p.e15-e19
Main Authors: Obeyesekere, M. N., Lockwood, S., Mottram, P., Alison, J. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Anticoagulants - adverse effects
Anticoagulants - therapeutic use
Aspirin - therapeutic use
Atrial Appendage - diagnostic imaging
Atrial Appendage - surgery
atrial fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation - complications
Cardiac Catheterization
Female
Humans
Hypertension - complications
Ischemic Attack, Transient - complications
left atrial appendage occlusion
Patient Preference - psychology
Risk
Risk Assessment
Septal Occluder Device - psychology
Thromboembolism - prevention & control
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography
Warfarin
Warfarin - adverse effects
Warfarin - therapeutic use
WATCHMAN
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Summary:Only 50% of patients who would benefit from warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) receive treatment because of clinical concerns regarding chronic anti‐coagulation. Percutaneous strategies to treat AF, including pulmonary vein isolation with a curative intent or atrioventricular nodal ablation and implantation of a permanent pacemaker for palliative rate control, have not eliminated the need to manage thromboembolic risk. With the development of a percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion device (the WATCHMAN percutaneous left atrial appendage occluder – Atritech Inc., Plymouth, MN, USA) for thromboembolic protection in non‐valvular AF a significant therapeutic option for select patients may be available. We present the first case performed in Australia (24 November 2009) and explore this new methodology.
ISSN:1444-0903
1445-5994
DOI:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02698.x