Clinical application of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion guided only by transesophageal echocardiography without fluoroscopy and angiography in the patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The objective of this study was to understand the clinical efficacy and application of the percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (PLAAO) guided only by the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), without using the fluoroscopy and angiography. METHODS: During the time period of this study from June 2020 to June 2021, 32 patients underwent PLAAO and all underwent a TEE guided approach. The anatomical features of the left atrial appendage (LAA) were evaluated and observed by TEE before and during the procedure. LAA occluder device was selected for the appropriate size. Intraoperative TEE guided and monitored the process of PLAAO in real-time, and also evaluated the stability and tightness of the occluder device, following monitored postoperative complications. RESULTS: The PLAAO procedure was successful in all the patients. No serious complications like dislocation of the occluder and embolism were seen. Postoperative TEE demonstrated that the PLAAO occluder devices were in a good position without residual shunting. CONCLUSIONS: PLAAO only guided by TEE may become a safe and reliable surgical procedure, which can protect surgeons and patients from radiation, and can gradually become a novel surgical method of PLAAO with the practical application value.