Left atrial appendage closure with Watchman device in prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation: First experience in Serbia

Abstract

Introduction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the major cause ofstroke, particularly in older patients over 75 years of age. EuropeanSociety of Cardiology guidelines recommend chronic anticoagulationtherapy in patients with atrial fibrillation ifCHA2DS2-VASc score is ≥ 1 (CHA2DS2-VASc score for estimatingthe risk of stroke in patients with non-rheumatic AFconsisting of the first letters of patients condition: C – congestiveheart failure; H – hypertension; A2 – age ≥ 75 years; D –diabetes mellitus; S2 – prior stroke, transitory ischaemic attack(TIA) or thrombolism; V – vascular disease; A – age 65–74years; Sc – sex category). However, a significant number of patientshave a high bleeding risk, or are contraindicated forchronic oral anticoagulation, and present a group of patients inwhom alternative treatment options for thromboembolic preventionare required. Transcatheter percutaneous left atrial appendageclosure (LAAC) devices have been recommended inpatients with contraindications for chronic anticoagulanttherapy. Case report. We present our first three patients withnonvalvular AF and contraindications for chronic anticoagulanttherapy who were successfully treated with implantation ofLAAC Watchman device in Catheterization Laboratory of theClinic for Cardiology, Clinical Center of Serbia in BelgradeConclusion. Our initial results with Watchman LAAC deviceare promising and encouraging, providing real alternative in patientswith non-valvular AF and contraindication for chronicanticoagulant therapy and high bleeding risk.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• cerebrovascular disorders
• risk assessment
• therapeutic occlusion
• heart atria