Left atrial appendage occlusion device-related thrombus: a case report and review of the literature

A 75-year-old male with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent implantation of a left atrial occlusion device. After 6?weeks, a scheduled trans-esophageal echocardiogram showed a 1.1-cm?×?1.1-cm mass within the occluded left atrial appendage, suspected to be thrombus. He was continued on warfarin for an additional 6?weeks and a repeat trans-esophageal echocardiogram showed obliteration of the left atrial appendage. This report describes an uncommon observation detected at scheduled follow up by trans-esophageal echocardiogram, which sheds some light on the mechanism by which this device ??matures?? after it is implanted inside the left atrial appendage.     

Use of tissue welding technology to obliterate left atrial appendage--novel use of Ligasure

The left atrial appendage is one source of thromboemobolus. Complete occlusion of this appendage is required to sever communication with the left atrium; however, current ligation techniques can potentially leave residual communication. A novel technique of occluding the appendage has been developed using a bipolar device and radiofrequency energy. Twelve patients underwent an off-pump, epicardial Maze procedure using radiofrequency ablation. As an adjunct to the procedure, ligation of the left atrial appendage was completed using the LigaSure Xtd (Valleylab, Tyco Healthcare, Boulder, CO) with a modified application technique. Patients were followed to ensure sinus or paced rhythm. All twelve patients are in sinus or paced rhythm upon follow-up. Four patients required pacemakers for sick sinus syndrome. To date there have been no incidents of strokes, thromboembolic events, postoperative bleeding or deaths in all patients. Complete occlusion of the left atrial appendage is necessary to eliminate communication, which is accomplished by this radiofrequency, bipolar device. Extensive studies are necessary to verify the efficacy of this novel occluding technique.     

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.     

Choice of venous cannulation for bypass during repair of traumatic rupture of the aorta

BACKGROUND: Choices for venous cannulation for left heart bypass, to assist repair of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, are between the left atrial appendage and pulmonary veins. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent operative repair of ruptured aorta. RESULTS: Over a 15-year period between March 1985 and February 2000, 133 patients were admitted to a level I trauma center with aortic rupture. Of the 50 procedures performed with left heart bypass, the left atrial appendage was cannulated in 19 and pulmonary veins in 31 (four superior, 27 inferior). Complications occurred in 7 of the 19 patients who underwent venous cannulation via the atrial appendage (two ventricular fibrillation, three atrial fibrillation, one pericardial effusion leading to tamponade, and one phrenic nerve injury). Complications occurred in 2 patients who underwent cannulation via pulmonary vein (one atrial fibrillation, one pericardial effusion requiring tapping) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cannulation via the pulmonary veins is associated with a decrease in complication rates compared with cannulation of the atrial appendage.     

Video-assisted bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage exclusion for atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary vein isolation is curative in selected patients with atrial fibrillation. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety (midterm results) of video-assisted thoracoscopic epicardial pulmonary vein isolation. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (22 male patients) with atrial fibrillation (18 paroxysmal, 4 persistent, and 5 permanent; average age, 57 years) underwent bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic off-pump epicardial pulmonary vein isolation and exclusion of the left atrial appendage. All patients had had unsuccessful drug therapy or were intolerant to antiarrhythmic drug therapy or were intolerant to warfarin. The approach included two 10-mm ports and one 5-cm working port (non-rib spreading) bilaterally. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved bilaterally by using a bipolar radiofrequency device. The left atrial appendage was excised with a surgical stapler. RESULTS: Bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage excision was performed successfully in all patients. There were no conversions to sternotomy or thoracotomy. All patients were extubated in the operating room. Postoperative complications in 3 patients were minor and resolved within 48 hours. One morbidly obese patient had more serious complications related to comorbid conditions. Average postoperative follow-up is approximately 6 months (173.6 days). Twenty-three patients have been followed up for greater than 3 months, and 21 of these patients are free of atrial fibrillation (91.3%). The results of magnetic resonance angiography were normal (no pulmonary vein stenosis) in 12 of 12 patients evaluated 3 to 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation with excision of the left atrial appendage is feasible and safe and offers a promising, new, minimally invasive, beating-heart approach for curative surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.     

Robotic-assisted left atrial ligation for stroke reduction in chronic atrial fibrillation: a case report

Patients with atrial fibrillation are at significant risk for sustaining a thromboembolic stroke. More than 90% of thromboemboli form in the left atrial appendage. Ligation of the left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of stroke is often performed in connection with other cardiac surgical procedures. As a stand-alone procedure, however, left atrial ligation has generally been deemed too invasive and has gained little support as an alternative therapeutic option. We report a case of port-access robotic-assisted left atrial ligation as a stand-alone procedure in a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation in whom anticoagulation was a contraindication. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of stand-alone robotic-assisted left atrial ligation in the literature.     

Assessing the immediate and sustained effectiveness of circular epicardial surgical ligation of the left atrial appendage

Abstract Background/Aim: Obliterating the left atrial appendage from systemic circulation in patients with atrial fibrillation has been proposed to reduce thromboembolic events. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a circular method of epicardial surgical ligation in obliterating the left atrial appendage and maintaining sustained exclusion. Methods: Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and an indication for elective cardiac surgery were enrolled. All patients underwent preoperative cardiac gated computerized tomography (CT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). During the cardiac procedure circular ligation of the appendage was performed. Results: Twelve patients, mean (SD) age 65 (12) years completed the study. Intraoperative TEE demonstrated all patients (12/12) had complete postligation occlusion of the left atrial appendage. At three‐month follow‐up, cardiac gated CT demonstrated that 75% (9/12) of the patients had communication of contrast dye from the left atrial appendage to body of left atrium. Left atrial appendage orifice area and volume were reduced from mean (SD) (5.5 cm²[1.8] to 0.5 cm²[0.4] p = 0.002) and (14.0 cm³[8.3] to 2.7 cm³[1.3] p = .005) postligation, respectively. No clinically significant thromboembolic events were reported. Conclusions: Epicardial suture ligation of the left atrial appendage resulted in successful intra‐operative exclusion on TEE; however, a significant portion of patient's demonstrated communication of contrast on CT. This is suggestive of incomplete long‐term exclusion. The clinical significance of reduction in left atrial appendage orifice area and volume with a persistent communication requires further study.     

Band Occlusion of the Atrial Appendage

Abstract Objectives: A new device has been developed for occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Previous investigations have been in the canine model. The canine atrial appendage does not vary in size and shape as much as the human. The goal of this study was to investigate band occlusion of right atrial appendages in the pig model, which are more broad based. Methods: The right atrial appendages of six pigs were approached through a right thoracotomy. An expandable polyester fabric‐covered silicone band was placed on the appendage. The animals were evaluated at the time of band placement with fluoroscopy, contrast injection, and in three animals, echocardiography. After one week, the animals were again evaluated with fluoroscopy. The animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks. Results: Bands were placed without complication at the base of all six appendages. All appendages were effectively occluded and all bands remained at the appendage base. The healed atrial surface was consistently smooth and devoid of thrombus. Conclusions: Occlusion of a broad‐based appendage as seen with human LAA is feasible with this novel band technique. (J Card Surg 2010;25:156‐160)     

Bilateral endoscopic technique for left atrial appendectomy and robot-assisted mitral valve repair

We report a bilateral thoracoscopic technique in which robot-assisted mitral valve repair was achieved concomitantly with stapler division of the large left atrial appendage. The patient was a 65-year-old male with severe mitral regurgitation, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a large-sized atrial appendage. Closure of the appendage was completed off-pump using a left thoracoscopic stapler-division technique previous to right thoracoscopic robot-assisted mitral valve repair and cryoablation. Complete closure of the appendage was confirmed in thoracoscopic views. The bilateral thoracoscopic technique could be preferable for the minimally invasive treatment of mitral valvular disease and concomitant large-sized atrial appendage management.     

改良Mini-Maze手术患者左心耳组织PITX2及KCNQ1蛋白表达特点分析及其临床相关性分析

目的 通过检测改良Mini-Maze手术心房颤动(房颤)患者左心耳组织PITX2及KCNQ1蛋白表达水平,结合临床数据对不同类型房颤的临床危险因素进行分析.方法 收集2017年2月至2018年8月因房颤于本中心行手术患者共59例的左心耳组织,其中58例行改良Mini-Maze手术,即双侧微创切口下行双极射频消融术、双侧...     

Cardiac Hemangioma of the Left Atrial Appendag: A Case Report and Discussion

Abstract   Cardiac hemangioma is an extremely rare, benign vascular tumor of the heart. In contrast to myxoma, hemangioma rarely involves left atrial tissue in adults and little information about the tumor is available. We encountered a 65-year-old woman with a left atrial hemangioma arising in the appendage and growing like an extracardiac mass. The tumor was removed from the left atrium with all the left appendage under cardiopulmonary bypass. Histopathological examination revealed that it was a cavernous-type hemangioma. Among the five described cases, this case was the only one in which the tumor arose from the appendage and grew into the pericardial cavity with resultant paroxystic atrial fibrillation.     

Ligation of the Left Atrial Appendage Using an Automatic Surgical Stapler

We investigated the use of an automatic surgical stapler for ligation of the atrial appendage in sheep, and then applied this technique in patients. Fourteen adult sheep underwent ligation of the left atrial appendage using a surgical stapler with a rotating head and either absorbable or stainless steel staples. In 4 sheep, killed after two hours, no hemorrhage or intraatrial thrombus was observed acutely. Ten sheep were allowed to recover for 90 to 100 days, twice the expected absorption time of absorbable staples. There was complete obliteration of the left atrial appendage without evidence of intraatrial thrombus or staple migration. The absorbable staples were completely reabsorbed. We subsequently used this technique in 5 patients undergoing mitral valve procedures. There were no complications, and adequate obliteration of the atrial appendage was achieved.     

Mitral valve replacement through a giant left atrial appendage

We report a rare case of a 45-year-old male with a giant left atrial appendage (13x10 cm in size) and chronic massive regurgitation at the mitral valve. Massive dilatation was compressing most of the left lower lobe and the large size of the appendage was pushing the mediastinum to the right. Therefore under median sternotomy, the mitral valve was clearly accessible and chordal sparing mitral valve replacement with left atrial plication was successfully performed through the giant left atrial appendage.     

Staple closure of the left atrial appendage

Closure of the fibrillating left atrial appendage has been recommended during mitral valve repair or replacement to prevent systemic emboli postoperatively. Closure of the left atrial appendage has been accomplished in the past by direct intra-atrial suture or by external ligation. The authors have used the TA-55 automatic stapler in 40 patients to close the left atrial appendage during mitral valve surgery. In all patients the closure was effected successfully at the first attempt without complication.     

Mitral stenosis with free-floating left atrial thrombus and recurrent systemic embolisation. A case report

A 64-year-old white woman with moderately severe rheumatic mitral stenosis complicated by atrial fibrillation and recurrent systemic embolisation to the brain was found at operation to have a large 'free-floating' left atrial thrombus, as well as multiple left atrial appendage thrombi. These had not been detected by echocardiography. She also had significantly reduced left ventricular contractility on cine angiography, and right coronary artery atherosclerosis. She underwent successful mitral valve replacement and excision of the left atrial appendage.     

Giant left atrium

Radiographic evidence of asymmetrical enlargement of the left atrium without atrial infarction is presented. Giant atrial enlargement is rarely symmetrical, the atrial appendage can contribute to the enlargement, and the giant atrium can be effectively trimmed. This will reduce its size and, therefore, the space which it occupies, and will restore the anatomical relations of neighbouring structures such as the main bronchi.     

Partial left pericardial defect with herniation of the left atrial appendage

A case is reported of herniation of the left atrial appendage through a partial pericardial defect, probably congenital. The diagnosis was suggested by the history of chest pain and bulging of the middle segment of the left heart border on the plain chest film, without other signs. Angiography revealed a dilated left atrial appendage. An artificial left pneumothorax confirmed the presence of a pleuropericardial defect. The surgical procedure included excision of the appendage and closure of the defect.     

Thoracoscopic radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation and atrial appendage occlusion

A 46-year-old woman with a 7-year history of profoundly symptomatic daily paroxysmal atrial fibrillation had undergone two percutaneous catheter ablations and multiple medication trials. With informed consent, bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage occlusion as well as ablation of ganglionated plexi were performed by a totally thoracoscopic technique employing a bipolar radiofrequency device. She was discharged home on postoperative day 3 and had one brief episode of atrial fibrillation 1 week later, but has had no further atrial fibrillation for more than 6 months since the procedure.     

Left atrial appendage aneurysm

Aneurysms of the left atrial appendage are exceedingly rare. Patients most commonly present with atrial tachyarrhythmias and thromboembolism. Resection of the aneurysm is usually curative. We present a case report of a 60-year-old female with a long-standing history of atrial arrhythmias found to have a large left atrial appendage aneurysm with additional bi-atrial enlargement and a family history of atrial arrhythmias. The patient was successfully treated with resection of the aneurysm and a Cox-Maze III procedure.     

Concurrent prophylactic left atrial appendage exclusion: results from a randomized controlled trial pilot study

Objective: The left atrial appendage is a significant source of cardioembolic thrombi. Open mitral valve surgery presents an opportune time to exclude this appendage from cardiovascular circulation. However, sparse randomized trial support exists for this concomitant procedure. We therefore designed a randomized controlled trial to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of concomitant left atrial appendage exclusion. This report details early outcomes of the pilot trial. Methods: Forty-three patients were randomized to either undergo concomitant suture exclusion of their left atrial appendage under direct vision or not during their open mitral valve surgery. Clinical and biochemical postoperative outcomes, including hemodynamic and hemostatic parameters, were analyzed. Results: There were no deaths in either group. The incidence of cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, and acute renal injury were similar between groups; a composite outcome of 10 major postoperative complications occurred in 32% of the left atrial appendage exclusion group versus 38% of the control group (p = 0.75). Intensive care (median stay 2 days vs 1 day in the control group, p = 0.55) and hospital lengths of stay (median stay 9 days in both groups, p = 0.98) were also similar between groups. Specifically, no additional hemodynamic alterations (need for intra-aortic balloon pump in 1 vs 2 patients in the control group, p = 0.61) or hemostatic complications (no re-operations for bleeding in either group, need for blood product transfusion in 2 vs 1 patient in the control group, p = 1.0) were noted in the left atrial appendage exclusion group. Conclusions: This pilot trial demonstrates the safety of and feasibility of a larger trial powered to detect clinically relevant short- and long-term outcomes of concomitant left atrial appendage exclusion with open mitral valve surgery.