Use of a Novel Septal Occluder Device for Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Patients With Postsurgical and Postlariat Leaks or Anatomies Unsuitable for Conventional Percutaneous Occlusion.

Background: Interventional therapies aiming at excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) from systemic circulation have been established as a valid alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients at high thromboembolic risk. However, their efficacy on stroke prophylaxis may be compromised owing to incomplete LAA closure. Additionally, the need for an alternative thromboembolic prevention may remain unmet in patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulation whose appendage anatomy is unsuitable for some conventional devices commercially available. We aimed at evaluating the feasibility of LAA closure with the novel Gore Cardioform Septal Occluder in patients with incomplete appendage ligation or anatomic features which do not meet the manufacturer's requirements for Watchman deployment.

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients (mean age: 72±6 years; 85.7% males; CHADS-VASc: 4.5±1.4; HAS-BLED: 3.6±1.0) were included. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed within 2 months to assess for residual LAA patency.

Results: Fourteen patients had incomplete LAA closure following surgical (n=6) or Lariat ligation (n=8). In 7 patients with an appendage anatomy unsuitable for Watchman deployment, the mean maximal landing zone size and LAA depth were 14.4±1.3 and 18.6±2.8 mm. Successful Cardioform Septal Occluder deployment was achieved in all patients. No peri-procedural complications were documented. Procedure and fluoroscopy times were 46±13 and 14±5 minutes. Follow-up transesophageal echocardiography after 58±9 days revealed complete LAA closure in all patients.

Conclusions: Transcatheter LAA closure via a Cardioform Septal Occluder device might be a valid alternative in patients with residual leaks following failed appendage ligation or whose LAA anatomy does not meet the minimal anatomic criteria to accommodate a Watchman device. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.