Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (Sep 2018)

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Complicated by Appendage Perforation Rescued by Device Deployment

  • Anna Sarcon MS, MD,
  • Dipayon Roy MD,
  • David Laughrun MD,
  • Mary Huntsinger ACNP,
  • Jacqueline Schwartz MD,
  • Jina Sohn MD,
  • Rahul N. Doshi MD, FHRS

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2324709618800108
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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The Watchman device is a transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) occluding device used in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and a high CHADS2-VA2SC score who are poor long-term anticoagulation candidates. Pericardial effusion related to device deployment and perforation can be a life-threatening complication. While not common in hands of experienced operators, management may require surgical intervention. Here we present a rare case of LAA perforation, which was corrected by successful repositioning of the device foregoing the need for surgical management.