Key result
Intraoperative contrast echocardiography successfully guides complete LAA surgical exclusion with AtriClip.
Why the study?
Surgical exclusion of the left atrial appendage for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation is frequently incomplete and requires optimization.
Case Report (n=1)
No
May aid precise surgical LAA exclusion in select AF cases; leaves open durability and outcomes in larger cohorts.
Surgical exclusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation is frequently incomplete and remains to be optimized. We present a man who did not tolerate anticoagulant and failed percutaneous occlusion. Intraoperative echocardiographic contrast was used to assist surgical exclusion. Follow-up showed a persistent occlusion.
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A 2022 study conducted a case report in Persistent non-valvular atrial fibrillation requiring left atrial appendage exclusion (n=1). Intraoperative echocardiographic contrast (Lumason) during surgical left atrial appendage exclusion with a 50 mm AtriClip was evaluated on Complete surgical exclusion of the left atrial appendage. Intraoperative echocardiographic contrast (Lumason 34 mcg/kg) successfully opacified the LAA to guide 50 mm AtriClip exclusion, achieving persistent complete occlusion at 1-month follow-up.
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