Project description:The presence of left atrial thrombus is a contraindication to cardioversion or catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation, due to the increased risk of systemic thromboembolism. Management of this situation includes changes in the anticoagulation regimen and repeat imaging tests. Accurate diagnosis of left atrial appendage thrombus is therefore essential but can sometimes be challenging. Multiple imaging modalities may sometimes be required in the setting of anatomical variations of the left atrial appendage and surrounding structures. We present the case of a patient awaiting ablation for atypical atrial flutter, who underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram that showed an echodense, mobile structure within the vicinity of the left atrial appendage, suggesting a possible thrombus. A cardiac CT demonstrated the image to correlate with an epicardial fat pad within the transverse sinus.
Project description:A right atrial (RA) mass was incidentally found by transthoracic echocardiography in a 79-year-old man with atrial fibrillation rhythms but without a history of anticoagulation. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a pedunculated immobile mass in the RA appendage. In addition, some calcification was detected in computed tomography. The mass was excised, and pathological examinations revealed organized thrombosis. Accordingly, in the presence of predisposing factors, thrombi, which may mimic some imaging features of tumors, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of RA masses.
Project description:Most physicians regard left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus as a contraindication for LAA occlusion due to risk of distal embolization which is a serious complication. Here we report a case of successfully implanted Amplazter cardiac plug without complication in elderly patients having LAA thrombus with recurrent embolic events despite oral anticoagulants for prevention of thromboembolic events. <Learning objective: LAA thrombus is not completely resolved in all cases and can be a potential source of stroke or embolization even during anti-coagulation. We would like to share a case that suffered from 6 strokes or embolizations despite anti-coagulation, warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anti-coagulants due to incomplete resolution of LAA thrombus. In this clinical situation, we can suggest LAA occlusion to isolate thrombus from LA and prevent further stroke or embolization.>.
Project description:ObjectivesWe demonstrate the feasibility and safety of robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusion in clinical practice.MethodsAnalysis of a single center robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusion experience using an epicardial linear clip device in patients with atrial fibrillation with high-risk of thromboembolic stroke and intolerance to oral anticoagulants.ResultsDuring the period from December 2017 to September 2020, we performed 42 robotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusions in response to increased risk of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and intolerance to oral anticoagulants. The average congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, stroke, and vascular disease score was 5.2 ± 1.6 and hypertension, abnormal liver or kidney function, stroke, bleeding, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs (aspirin, other antiplatelets, or anticoagulants) score was 4.5 ± 0.9. No patients died intraoperatively or within 30 days, or due to conversion to thoracotomy, intraoperative complications, or failure to apply the clip satisfactorily. The procedure was successfully completed despite pericardial adhesions in 2 patients with prior coronary bypass grafts and 3 with postpericarditis scars. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 38 out of 42 patients; satisfactory exclusion with left atrial appendage stump <5 mm was confirmed in all. Average length of stay was 3.4 ± 3 days with 12 out of 42 patients discharged within 24 hours. Oral anticoagulants were discontinued in 41 out of 42 patients and no cases of 30-day stroke, myocardial ischemia, or new arrhythmias were observed. One case of hemothorax required thoracoscopy a day later. There was no reported thromboembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack at 12 months. One case of late lacunar stroke was due to in situ small intracranial vessel thrombosis without left atrial appendage thrombus on imaging.ConclusionsRobotics-assisted left atrial appendage clip exclusion is a safe and feasible minimally invasive method for left atrial appendage management in patients with atrial fibrillation with intolerance to oral anticoagulants and increased risk of thromboembolic stroke.
Project description:BackgroundLeft atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is considered a valid alternative for the prevention of thromboembolic stroke in patients with persistent left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) despite adequate anticoagulation. However, the data on LAAC using the LAmbre device for patients with LAAT is limited. This study was performed to explore efficacy and safety as well as to share the experience of the modified LAAC procedure with the LAmbre device.Materials and methodsA total of 7 patients with persistent LAAT despite adequate anticoagulation underwent modified LAAC with the LAmbre device between November 2019 and April 2022. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed 3 months postoperatively to detect device-related thrombosis and peridevice leak. The patients' clinical events were evaluated during the perioperative and follow-up periods.ResultsThe median age, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and HAS-BLED score of all patients were 71 [53-73], 3 [2-4], and 2 [2-3], respectively. In the procedure, a cerebral protection system was used in two patients. LAAC with the LAmbre device was successfully performed in all patients without perioperative events. During the median follow-up of 383 [325-865] days, postoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in six (85.7%) patients. Device-related thrombosis was detected in one (16.7%) patient, and no significant peridevice leak was observed. No thromboembolic event or bleeding event occurred in any patients.ConclusionLAAC with the LAmbre device is effective and safe when performed by experienced operators in highly selected patients with LAAT after adequate anticoagulation.
Project description:A 4-year-old child with supramitral membrane (SMM) causing severe mitral stenosis (MS) was taken for excision of the membrane. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed a large thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA) in addition to SMM. The case underscores the importance of this extremely rare association and prompt therapy to prevent catastrophic consequences.