Direct Implantation of a Left Atrial Appendage Occluder During Cardiothoracic Surgery.

De Potter, Tom; Iliodromitis, Konstantinos E; Silva Garcia, Etel; Van Praet, Frank · Ann Thorac Surg · 2020

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Surgical suture or exclusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a commonly performed technique in patients undergoing cardiothoracic revascularization or valve repair, or both. However, incomplete surgical sealing of the LAA is not a rare phenomenon and strongly increases the risk for future cerebrovascular embolic events. We report the implantation of a Watchman LAA occluder (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) during redo minimally invasive open heart surgery. This approach offers a new alternative for LAA occlusion in patients for whom a surgical procedure is scheduled.

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