• Huimin Chu, Xianfeng Du, Caijie Shen, Bin He, Mingjun Feng, Jing Liu, Guohua Fu, and Binhao Wang.
• Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, 315010, China. Electronic address: epnbheart@163.com.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2020 Nov 1; 119 (11): 1586-1592.

Background/PurposeLeft atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is conventionally guided by fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography. We introduce an LAAC technique without fluoroscopy exposure using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and electroanatomic mapping system (EAMS) under local anesthesia.MethodsSeven non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who underwent LAAC with the LAmbre devices under the ICE and EAMS guidance were compared to 7 patients following the conventional approach by propensity score matching. ICE probe was advanced into the left atrium (LA) to guide sizing and device implantation following the orthogonal tri-axial technique (Axis-X: from left pulmonary veins [PVs] to LAA; Axis-Y: from right PV ostium to LAA; Axis-Z: from lower LA to LAA).ResultsThe mean diameters of ostia and landing zone were 21.4 ± 3.9 mm and 20.4 ± 4.2 mm, respectively. LAmbre devices with a mean umbrella diameter of 23.7 ± 4.2 mm and cover disc diameter of 29.4 ± 3.6 mm were successfully implanted and acute complete LAA sealing without peri-device leak (PDL) were achieved in all cases. Neither fluoroscopy exposure nor contrast consumption was recorded. No procedure related complications were documented. The mean procedural time and PDLs at follow-ups were comparable to those in the conventional group. No stroke or thromboembolic events were documented.ConclusionThe fluoroscopy exposure could be minimized, even to zero, in the ICEguided LAAC procedures feasibly and safely using LAmbre devices. The orthogonal triaxial technique is considered efficacious and safe for the procedures.Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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