Standalone epicardial left atrial appendage exclusion for thromboembolism prevention in atrial fibrillation

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESMost strokes associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) result from left atrial appendage thrombi. Oral anticoagulation can reduce stroke risk but is limited by complication risk and non-compliance. Left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) is a new surgical option to reduce stroke risk in AF. The study objective was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of standalone thoracoscopic LAAE in high stroke risk AF patients.METHODSThis was a retrospective, multicentre study of high stroke risk AF patients who had oral anticoagulation contraindications and were not candidates for ablation nor other cardiac surgery. Standalone thoracoscopic LAAE was performed using 3 unilateral ports access and epicardial clip. Periprocedural adverse events, long-term observational clinical outcomes and stroke rate were evaluated.RESULTSProcedural success was 99.4% (174/175 patients). Pleural effusion occurred in 4 (2.3%) patients; other periprocedural complications were <1% each. One perioperative haemorrhagic stroke occurred (0.6%). No phrenic nerve palsy or cardiac tamponade occurred. Predicted annual ischaemic stroke rate of 4.8/100 patient-years (based on median CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 4.0) was significantly higher than stroke risk observed in follow-up after LAAE. No ischaemic strokes occurred (median follow-up: 12.5 months), resulting in observed rate of 0 (95% CI 0–2.0)/100 patient-years (P < 0.001 versus predicted). Six all-cause (non-device-related) deaths occurred during follow-up.CONCLUSIONSStudy proved that a new surgical option, standalone thoracoscopic LAAE, is feasible and safe. With this method, long-term stroke rate may be reduced compared to predicted for high-risk AF population.     

Role of left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with HeartMate 3

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESLeft atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) at the time of implantation may reduce thromboembolic events (TEs) during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. The HeartMate 3 (HM3) reduces TEs overall, but the efficacy of LAAO in HM3 is unknown.METHODSAdults receiving first HM3 implantation from November 2014 through December 2019 at a single, large medical centre were retrospectively reviewed. TEs included device thrombosis and ischaemic stroke. Patients were classified by whether they received LAAO or not. Incidence of TEs was compared between groups using cumulative incidence curves with competing risks (death and heart transplant) and risk factors for TEs were assessed with Fine and Gray competing risk regression.RESULTSA total of 182 patients received HM3, of whom 99 (54%) received LAAO versus 83 (46%) who did not. There were 14 TEs, including 13 strokes (7%) and 1 pump thrombosis (0.5%). No significant difference in the incidence of TEs in each group was found (Gray’s test: P = 0.35). LAAO was not associated with TEs in multivariable Fine–Gray analysis (P = 0.10) and no significant risk factors for TEs were found. There were zero disabling strokes in those who received LAAO compared to 6 (7%) in those who did not receive LAAO (P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONSA low number of TEs was observed in HM3 recipients. LAAO did not further reduce the overall rate of TEs in this patient population, though its use may be beneficial in preventing disabling ischaemic strokes after HM3 implantation.     

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm with unexpected course of left anterior descending coronary artery

The left atrial appendage (LAA) aneurysm is a rare condition that can produce local compressive effects and complications including supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, thromboembolic events and myocardial ischaemia. We present a rare case of a neonate with a congenital LAA aneurysm which resulted in local compressive effects on the left ventricle, severe mitral regurgitation and malposition of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Intraoperatively, the LAD was found to be within the aneurysmal wall exterior to the left ventricular epicardium and was inadvertently injured during LAA aneurysm resection. Retrospective review of the preoperative computed tomography and echocardiography scans demonstrated the LAD lying within the wall of the LAA aneurysm, although this had not been well appreciated at that time. This highlights the importance of thorough multimodal preoperative imaging and intraoperative assessment for recognition of this rare association between the LAA aneurysm and LAD malposition, and prevention of inadvertent LAD injury during aneurysm resection.     

Disappearing left atrial appendage clot—the need for a more meticulous search

Left atrial clots are occasionally seen in patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation who come for valve surgery. Once identified on echocardiogram, intraoperative identification and retrieval of the clot are essential in order to prevent the possibly devastating complication of embolism and stroke.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-021-01154-9.     

Concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

The Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study (LAAOS III) was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that included patients undergoing cardiac surgery who also had atrial fibrillation. The trial recruited 4811 participants, of which 2400 patients were randomized to undergo left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion surgery, while 2411 participants had isolated cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to determine whether concomitant occlusion of the LAA prevents ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. The study also evaluated the efficacy and safety of concomitant LAA occlusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The number of ischemic strokes or systemic embolisms was significantly lower in the LAA occlusion group [114 (4.8%) vs. 68 (7.0%)] compared to the no-occlusion surgery group. There was also no increase in hospital length of stay or hospitalization for heart failure. It is expected that based on the findings of the LAAOS III study, the recommendations for concomitant LAA occlusion will be upgraded from the current class IIB to class I.     

Uncommon complication from left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO)

To decrease the risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation, cardiologists will insert a device known as a left atrial appendage occluder to the left atrial appendage. This will decrease the stagnant flow of blood in that particular region. Known complications of this procedure include perforation, migration and dislodgement.We report a case with uncommon late complication of this device causing erosion of the left ventricle, in which open heart operation was carried out to repair the defect.     

The left atrial appendage: our most lethal human attachment! Surgical implications

Objectives: To prevent death from atrial fibrillation, a cardiac disease which kills by producing emboli. Atrial fibrillation causes about 25% of strokes and increases stroke rate by five times. Over 90% of these embolic strokes are from clots originating in the left atrial appendage. This study addresses the surgical feasibility of removing the appendage to prevent future deaths in two subcategories of patients. (1) Prophylactic removal during open-heart surgery to study its safety. Theoretically, as these patients age and some develop atrial fibrillation, protection from embolic strokes would already be present. (2) Therapeutic removal in chronic atrial fibrillation patients by means of a thorascopic approach. Its technical feasibility is demonstrated. Its actual stroke prevention potential awaits large studies. Methods: Appendectomy has been evaluated three ways. (1) Experimentally, thorascopic appendage removal was performed on 20 goats with endoscopic approach. Late studies showed a cleanly healed atrial closure after stapling, and no puckering of tissue as seen with the purse-string approach. (2) Safety of human appendectomy was demonstrated in 437 patients (1995–1997). Routine appendectomy was performed during open-heart surgery. Forty-three appendages were stapled, 391 sutured off. (3) Thorascopic appendectomy in seven patients with chronic atrial fibrillation has been successfully accomplished as an isolated surgical procedure. Stapling or suture closure provides a much cleaner, non-puckered suture line than a purse string. Results: In prophylactic removal, no acute bleeding occurred. No late problems have been identified. Endoscopic removal of the appendage has been successful in seven atrial fibrillation patients. Conclusions: The left atrial appendage is a lethal source of emboli in atrial fibrillation patients. As patients age and often develop atrial fibrillation, prophylactic appendage removal whenever the chest is open is suggested as a method to prevent future strokes. In chronic atrial fibrillation patients, appendectomy can be done with a mini-thorascopic approach. Further studies are planned to demonstrate the effectiveness of appendectomy in preventing strokes in the chronic fibrillating patients.     

二尖瓣手术并射频消融迷宫术治疗房颤

目的评价二尖瓣手术并射频消融迷宫手术（Maze Ⅲ）治疗二尖瓣病变合并房颤的安全性和疗效。方法2003年1月至10月行二尖瓣手术及射频消融迷宫手术66例为研究组，同期二尖瓣病变合并房颤仅行二尖瓣手术的66例为对照组。两组术前数据差异无统计学意义，随访并比较分析两组房颤的消除率、手术疗效和术后并发症的差异。结果平均主动脉阻断时间研究组较对照组长（12．61±3．56）min，两组手术死亡率和并发症率差异无统计学意义。术后即刻、出院时及术后1年以上研究组与对照组的房颤消除率分别为100％、63．7％、76．2％与57．6％、18．2％、14．8％（P〈0．001）。研究组窦性心律恢复率明显高、脑梗发生率低、心功能恢复好。结论心内直视手术合并射频消融行迷宫手术可有效消除房颤，不增加心内手术的风险，安全、有效。而单纯二尖瓣手术未处理房颤者，术后房颤多数仍存在。     

Clinical significance of anterior mitral leaflet fibrillation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: comparison with blood flow and wall motion of the left atrial appendage

Background and purpose  Diastolic fibrillation of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) is seen in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its clinical significance has been unclear. On the other hand, reduced blood flow velocity in the left atrial appendage (LAA) may be associated with LA thrombus formation. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the flow velocity and the wall motion velocity of the LAA and diastolic fibrillation of the AML in patients with nonvalvular AF. Methods  We performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 45 consecutive patients with chronic nonvalvular AF. The LAA flow velocity was measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography with the sample volume positioned at the center of the LAA. The LAA wall motion velocity was measured by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) with the sample volume at the medial wall of the LAA. The AML fibrillation velocity was measured by pulsed DTI with the sample volume at the AML tip. Results  The AML fibrillation velocity could be measured in 44 patients (97.8%), and the LAA flow and wall motion velocities were measurable in 35 (77.8%) and 42 (93.3%) patients, respectively. The AML fibrillation velocity had a range from 4 to 21 cm/s and showed significant positive correlation with the LAA flow velocity (r = 0.82, P < 0.001) and the wall motion velocity (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) of the LAA. An AML fibrillation velocity of ≤7 cm/s predicted patients having a tendency to LA thrombus formation (LAA flow velocity ≤20 cm/s) with high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (88.9%). Conclusion  The AML fibrillation velocity seems to be a viable substitute for the LAA flow velocity in the detection of flow stagnation in the LA.     

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...     

胸腔镜辅助下微创射频消融手术治疗心房颤动临床分析

目的 探讨胸腔镜辅助下微创射频消融手术治疗心房颤动的技术和早期疗效.方法 2006年12月至2007年10月,共有57例心房颤动患者接受了胸腔镜辅助下微创心脏手术,其中男性40例,女性17例,平均年龄56.4岁,术前心房颤动病史(5.7±4.5)年.本组阵发性心房颤动38例,持续性心房颤动7例,长期存在的持续性心房颤动12例;3例患者曾行导管消融治疗,2例已安置永久性起搏器.所有患者均在胸腔镜辅助下实施双侧肺静脉前庭射频消融隔离、心外膜部分去迷走神经化治疗、左心耳切闭(Wolf Mini-maze手术);并在消融前后行心外膜电生理标测.结果 本组患者平均手术时间3.5 h;术中发现左心房血栓1例,1例患者同期行心外膜的心脏同步化手术.无围手术期死亡;1例术后并发急性呼吸功能不全,1例并发急性心功能不全.共16例患者术后及随访期间行胸外直流电复律治疗;全组患者出院时、术后1、3及6个月窦性心律的比例分别为78.9%(45/57)、64.3%(36/56)、83.9%(47/56)和87.0%(20/23);术前阵发性心房颤动患者则为84.2%(32/38)、67.6%(25/37)、86.5%(32/37)和89.5%(17/19).全组随访1～10个月无血栓及栓塞事件发生.结论 胸腔镜辅助微创心脏外科手术主要适用于阵发性心房颤动患者,其早期疗效理想,创伤小,安全性高.     

胃间质瘤经腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗效果的临床对照研究

目的探讨腹腔镜胃间质瘤切除术较传统开腹手术的治疗效果、安全性。方法28例胃间质瘤患者分别采用经腹腔镜或常规开腹手术行胃间质瘤切除术,主要比较两组的术后并发症、早期复发情况,并以此推测两种术式在手术安全性的优劣。结果手术时间腹腔镜手术组为（100．7±24．8）min,开腹手术组（95．0±22．4）min,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;术中失血量腹腔镜手术组为（56．4±18．1）ml,（83．9±27．3）ml,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;术后排气时间腹腔镜手术组为（69．4±32．3）h,开腹手术组（104．6±20．7）h,P〈0．05,住院时间腹腔镜手术组（8．8±1．8）d,开腹组为（11．4±1．5）d,P〈0．05;术后并发症腹腔镜组1例,开腹组2例,P〉0．05。随访期内（6～24个月）Kaplan—Meier生存分析差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论在熟练掌握腹腔镜手术的基础上行胃间质瘤切除术是安全的,且患者创伤小、康复快,治疗效果与开腹手术无差别。