Contrast-free left atrial appendage occlusion in patients using the LAMBRE™ device.

BACKGROUND: Advances in imaging have led to procedural optimization of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Contrast-free approaches, guided merely by echocardiography, have been established, however data on this topic remains scarce. In this analysis, we assessed contrast-free procedural results with the LAMBRE LAAC device. METHODS: The multicenter retrospective BoBoMa (Bonn/Bordeaux/Mainz)-Registry included a total of 118 patients that underwent LAAC with LAMBRE devices omitting contrast-dye. Baseline and echocardiographic characteristics as well as intra- and postprocedural complications and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Patients were at a mean age of 77.5 ± 7.5 years with high thromboembolic and bleeding risk (CHADS-VASc-score 4.6 ± 1.4, HAS-BLED-score 3.7 ± 1.0, respectively). Renal function was impaired with a mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 50 ± 22 ml/min. Mean procedural time was 47.2 ± 37.5  minutes with a mean radiation dose of 4.75 ± 5.25 Gy*cm2. Device success, defined as proper deployment in a correct position, was achieved in 97.5% (115/118) of cases with repositioning of the occluder in 7.6% (9/118) and resizing in 3.4% (4/118) of cases. No relevant peri-device leakage (>3 mm) was observed with 42% of occluders being implanted in an ostial position. Periprocedural complications occurred in 6.8% (8/118) of cases, including two cases of device embolization and one case of clinically-relevant pericardial effusion requiring surgical intervention. Other complications included pericardial effusion (2.5%, 3/118) and vascular access site complications (1.7%, 2/118). CONCLUSION: Echocardiography-guided contrast-free LAAC using the LAMBRE device is safe and feasible. Further prospective studies including the direct comparison of devices as well as imaging techniques are warranted in contrast-free LAAC.

The CT derived angle between the transseptal puncture site and the left atrial appendage as a predictor for complex interventional occlusion procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the CT-derived angle between the intra-atrial septum (IAS) and the left atrial appendage (LAA) on procedural complexity and clinical outcomes in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. BACKGROUND: Given the broad variations in anatomy, LAAO remains one of the most challenging interventional procedures in structural heart disease. In recent years, preprocedural cardiac tomography (CT) has evolved as a valuable tool; however, prediction of procedural complexity remains cumbersome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients that underwent LAAO at our center in whom pre-procedural cardiac CT-scans were available. Among other baseline parameters, we measured the angle between the LAA ostium and the preferred transseptal puncture site at the IAS. We compared patients with an angle above and below the median regarding procedural characteristics and procedural outcome. RESULTS: The median angle between the LAA and the IAS was 127.3° (IQR: 120.9-141.3). LAAO took longer in patients with a measured angle below the median (55.0 ± 22.7 min vs. 41.3 ± 17.5 min; p = .04), resulting in longer radiation times (13.0 ± 5.3 min vs. 9.8 ± 5.7 min; p = .04) and more contrast use (61.1 ± 47.5 mL vs. 33.6 ± 24.7 mL; p = .05). Moreover, the necessity for a sheath exchange was significantly higher (30.4% vs. 4.2%, p = .02) and device repositioning or device resizing trended to be more frequent (26.1% vs. 8.3%; p = .1 and 21.7% vs. 8.3%; p = .2). There were no differences in procedural outcome, device-position and peri-device leak (PDL). CONCLUSIONS: The angle between the transseptal puncture site and the LAA ostium may serve as a predictor for more demanding LAAO interventions. In our study a steeper angle led to a prolonged procedure resulting in higher doses of contrast and radiation, but was not associated with a worse procedural outcome.

Incidence, persistence, and clinical relevance of iatrogenic atrial septal defects after percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rate and clinical impact of a persisting iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) after percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). BACKGROUND: Percutaneous LAAO is an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for the prevention of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Data regarding incidence and persistence of iASD after LAAO procedures and its clinical relevance is scarce. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 144 patients that underwent LAAO at our center between 2009 and 2020 who had at least one follow-up including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Baseline clinical, procedural data and echocardiographic characteristics in patients with and without evidence of an iASD were compared. We furthermore determined the rate of iASD persistence over time and evaluated outcomes of patients with and without spontaneous iASD closure. RESULTS: After a median of 92 days (IQR 75-108 days) after LAAO, 50 patients (50/144, 34.7%) showed evidence of an iASD. Patients with iASD had higher CHADS-VASc-scores (4.9±1.5 vs 4.2±1.2, p = 0.03), larger left atrial volumes (80.5±30.5 ml vs 67.1±19.7 ml, p = 0.01) and were more likely to have relevant mitral regurgitation (≥° II) (46.0% vs 12.3%, p = 0.001). LAAO procedures took longer (50.1±24.3 vs 41.1±17.8 min, p = 0.06) in patients with a persisting iASD. Furthermore, larger device sizes were implanted (24.3±3.4 mm vs 22.1±2.8 mm, p = 0.03). The presence of an iASD had no impact on RV dysfunction, thromboembolism or mortality. Spontaneous closure of an iASD was documented in 52.0% (26/50). Hereby, similar risk factors were identified for the persistence of an iASD in follow-up.

Incidence, predictors, and relevance of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing left atrial appendage closure with Amplatzer occluders: a multicentre observational study.

AIMS: Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a frequent complication after cardiac interventions, such as left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), yet limited data are available on the incidence and clinical implication of AKI in this setting. We sought to assess incidence, predictors and relevance of AKI after LAAC. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 95 LAAC patients in three European centers. AKI was defined according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classification. The incidence of AKI was 13.7% with mild AKI in 92.3% and AKI stage > II in 7.7%. Total contrast volume was not linked to the occurrence of AKI (AKI: 127 ± 83 vs. no AKI: 109 ± 92 ml, p = 0.41), however increasing contrast volume (CV) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ratio (CV/GFR ratio) was associated with an increased risk of AKI (OR, per unit increase: 1.24, 95% CI 0.97-1.58, p = 0.08). ROC-analysis revealed a moderate predictive value of CV/GFR ratio for the prediction of AKI (AUC: 0.67, 95% CI 0.50-0.84, p = 0.05). Furthermore, AKI was associated with significantly increased mortality 6 months and 1 year after LAAC. No significant difference in the incidence of AKI was observed between patients with mere fluoroscopic and additional echocardiographic guidance (16.3% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.56). CONCLUSION: Whereas mild AKI is common in patients after LAAC, severe AKI is rare. AKI after LAAC is associated with poor baseline renal function, increased doses of contrast (CV/GFR ratio) and impaired outcome. Future studies will be needed to elaborate the benefit of reducing or avoiding contrast volume regarding this endpoint.

Contrast-free, echocardiography-guided left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAo): a propensity-matched comparison with conventional LAAo using the AMPLATZER™ Amulet™ device.

AIMS: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAo) is commonly performed under fluoroscopy including the use of contrast dye. In this study, we aimed to assess feasibility and safety of contrast-free, 3D-echo-based LAAo with the use of the AMPLATZER™ Amulet™ device. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 20 patients (74 ± 10 years, 65% males) at an increased thromboembolic and bleeding risk (CHA2DS2VASC 4.0 ± 1.3; HAS-BLED 3.5 ± 0.9) with chronic renal failure (GFR 41 ± 21 ml/min) undergoing LAAo without the use of contrast dye at our center and compared the results with a propensity-matched cohort (1:1 matching) of conventionally treated patients receiving contrast agent. Contrast-free LAAo was associated with less radiation exposure (13.1 ± 19.2 vs. 32.9 ± 21.2 Gy*cm2, p < 0.01) and fluoroscopy time (5.0 ± 3.4 vs. 11.6 ± 4.9 min, p < 0.01). Procedural success rates were excellent in both groups (100%) without severe periprocedural complications (i.e. procedural death, stroke/systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, cardiac tamponade or major bleeding). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographically guided LAAo without the use of contrast dye appears safe and feasible. This approach appears to be associated with reduced radiation exposure and may represent an alternative to traditional LAAo, especially in patients in whom the avoidance of contrast dye is warranted.