• Fu-Chun Chiu, Pang-Shuo Huang, Jien-Jiun Chen, Juey-Jen Hwang, and Chia-Ti Tsai.
• Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2022 Aug 1; 121 (8): 1442-1449.

Background/PurposeIn patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), the left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO) is an alternative treatment for stroke prevention. However, the long-term outcomes in Asia was generally unknown.Methods And ResultsThis was a retrospective longitudinal study and a total of 124 patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulants or stroke despite under anticoagulants had been enrolled since 2013. Primary efficacy was defined as any type of stroke/systemic embolization and adverse event as any procedure or anti-thrombotic related complications. Twelve patients were excluded due to thrombus in the LAA or oversize LAA. Watchman was successfully implanted in 55 patients (98%) and ACP/Amulet also 55 patients (98%). During follow-up, the ischemic stroke rate was 1.9 in the Watchman and 1.4 per 100 patient-year in the ACP/Amulet group. There were 2 Watchman patients experiencing intracranial hemorrhage. Device-related thrombus (DRT) was noted in 3 patients (2.7%).There was no patient with peri-device lead ≧5 mm. In those patients receiving only local anesthesia, the follow-up echocardiography showed no significant peri-device leak, malposition of LAAO and DRT.ConclusionThis long-term follow-up study shows that percutaneous closure of LAA is a safe and technically feasible procedure with satisfactory outcomes in Asia. The procedure success rate, efficacy and adverse event were similar to those reported in the Caucasian populations.Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.

27 keywords...

hide…