The Effect of Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Excision on Cardiac Dynamic and Endocrine Function

Purpose: Left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation is an effective surgical treatment for decreasing thromboembolic risk. We sought to evaluate the short-term effect of minimally invasive surgery with LAA excision on left atrial dynamic and endocrine function in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.Methods: A total of 52 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing minimally invasive surgery with LAA excision in Anzhen Hospital from October 2012 to June 2014 were enrolled in the study. The natriuretic peptide plasma level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and left atrial dynamic function was measured preprocedure by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and postprocedure after 7 days and 3 months.Results: With the exception of six recurrences, 88.5% (46/52) of the patients were prospectively followed over 3 months in terms of their sinus rhythm postprocedure. No severe operative complications or embolism events occurred within those 3 months. Echocardiography showed a 3–6% decrease in left atrial volume postprocedure, and dynamic function was largely restored by 3 months. There was no significant change in natriuretic peptide levels, although a slight decrease was detected 7 days postprocedure, which gradually recovered by 3 months (P = 0.350).Conclusions: There are no significant differences in left atrial dynamics and natriuretic peptide secretion in AF patients after minimally invasive surgery with LAA excision.     

Left atrial appendage perforation with Watchman device implantation: Strategies for surgical repair

Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is increasingly being used as an alternative for stroke prevention in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation at high risk of complications from long term anticoagulation. We describe a case of left atrial appendage perforation during Watchman device implantation requiring emergency repair of the left atrium using sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. Technical considerations for surgical decision making are discussed; in hemodynamically unstable patients as well as those at high risk for embolization.     

Early and Middle-Term Results and Anticoagulation Strategy after Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Using an Epicardial Clip Device

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate short- and middle-term results and postoperative anticoagulation of left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion with an epicardial clip device.Materials and Methods: From September 2017 to August 2019, 102 patients at our institution underwent epicardial LAA exclusion using the AtriClip device. Anticoagulation therapy was resumed in the very early postoperative period and continued for at least three months after surgery. The patients’ data were obtained by reviewing their medical records retrospectively.Results: The mean and median durations of follow-up was 510 ± 184 days and 482 days (range, 216–938 days), respectively. Successful LAA exclusion was confirmed in all but one patient. No device-related complications occurred during surgery. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) findings revealed no migration or displacement of the clips in any patient; however, small clots were observed at the LAA stump in seven patients. Stroke-free rate during the follow-up period was 98.9%.Conclusion: LAA exclusion using the AtriClip device was a feasible treatment method in terms of its early and middle-term safety and efficacy. In addition, our postoperative anticoagulation strategy could be optimal for maximizing the procedure’s merits, although further studies, involving a larger number of patients and longer duration of follow-up, are needed.     

高龄冠心病合并心房颤动患者行非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术中左心耳处理的回顾性队列研究

目的 本文旨在探讨左室射血分数(LVEF)降低的高龄冠心病合并心房颤动(房颤)患者在非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(OPCABG)中同期处理左心耳的手术技巧及效果评价.方法 纳入2013～ 2018年,84例OPCABGLVEF降低(＜50％)的高龄(年龄≥70岁)冠心病合并房颤患者在我科行非体外循环冠脉搭桥术.男54例...     

Improved Surgical Approach to Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm

Left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare anomaly, which usually presents with arrhythmia or cerebral embolism. Diagnostic evaluation traditionally required cardiac catheterization, and surgical resection required cardiopulmonary bypass. Utilizing intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and surgical stapling devices, we have streamlined our operative technique, allowing resection of a left atrial appendage aneurysm without cardiopulmonary bypass. This report of two cases treated over the past decade demonstrates the evolution of our surgical technique.     

A Comparative Prospective Observational Study on the Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants after Cardiac Surgery for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Purpose: Recently, guidelines recommended the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common post-surgical complication of cardiac surgery, but the efficacy and safety of DOAC for POAF have rarely been investigated. We conducted a prospective observational study to investigate the efficacy and safety of DOAC administered immediately after POAF.Materials and Methods: In all, 135 patients that experienced POAF after cardiac surgery were treated with a DOAC. Primary endpoints were either bleeding or thromboembolic events. Secondary endpoints included changes in hemoglobin (Hb), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), serum creatinine (sCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and pleural/pericardial effusion.Results: Patients were treated with apixaban (n = 31), edoxaban (n = 87), and rivaroxaban (n = 17). Major bleeding (p = 0.011) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (p = 0.047) were significantly more frequent in the rivaroxaban group. Stroke was observed in one rivaroxaban group patient and none in the other two groups.Conclusion: DOAC as anticoagulation therapy for the early intervention of POAF following cardiac surgery is associated with a low incidence of major bleeding; a favorable safety profile and excellent efficacy were demonstrated for DOAC. Furthermore, our results indicate that the safety and efficacy of apixaban and edoxaban are better than rivaroxaban.     

实时三维经食管超声心动图定量评价心房颤动患者左心耳形态及功能

目的探讨实时三维经食管超声心动图(RT-3D-TEE)定量评估心房颤动(AF)患者左心耳(LAA)形态和功能的可行性。方法选取56例拟接受射频消融术的阵发性AF患者(阵发组)、26例持续性AF患者(持续组)及同期11名健康人(对照组),采用RT-3D-TEE测量3组LAA各参数。结果与对照组比较,阵发组LAA舒张末期容积(LAA-EDV)、收缩末期容积(LAA-ESV)、开口最大面积(A_(max))及最小面积(A_(min))均增大,射血分数(LAA-EF)、最大排空速度(Vep)、面积变化率(A%)及直径变化率(D%)均减小(P均0.05);持续组LAA-EDV、LAA-ESV、A_(max)、A_(min)增大,LAA-EF、Vep、A%、D%减小(P均0.05);阵发组与持续组间各参数差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。LAA-EF与ESV (r=-0.73,P0.01)、EDV(r=-0.64,P0.01)、A_(max)(r=-0.36,P0.01)及年龄(r=-0.27,P=0.02)呈负相关,与A%、D%、Vep呈正相关(r=0.86、0.74、0.55,P均0.01),与D_(max)无明显相关(P0.05)。结论 RT-3D-TEE能定量分析AF患者LAA形态及功能变化,对于评估AF患者病情具有一定临床意义。     

Recanalization of the Left Atrial Appendage Demonstrated by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Closure of the fibrillating left atrial appendage has been recommended during mitral valve operations to help prevent thrombus formation and systemic embolization postoperatively. We report recanalization of the appendage orifice in 6 patients after surgical closure by purse-string suturing at the time of mitral valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated disruption of the closure line and partial recanalization of the sutured orifice with relatively high velocity flow between the left atrial body and the appendage.     

Atrial fibrillation: An anesthesiologist's perspective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is not only the most common arrhythmia in the global population but also the most frequent one encountered in the operating room. For an anesthesiologist, it is crucial to have the ability to maintain hemodynamics and prevent complications of patients who present AF perioperatively. Here we provide a brief review in the novel concept of the classification, pathophysiology, and management of AF to provide a practical approach for physicians coming across this arrhythmia during the perioperative period.